In this article, Eugene Dillenburg, an Exhibit Developer at The Science Museum of Minnesota, shares a collection of stories from colleagues about their experiences in the museum field. The stories relate to defining moments in their career paths including how they began in the museum field, early experiences, witnessing the impact of their work, dealing with controversy, powerful interactions with objects, and career mobility and shifts.
In this article, Joyce Cheney, independent exhibit developer and curator of HELP's Apron Strings exhibit, and Edana McSweeney, co-director of the Hands-on Experiential Learning Project (HELP), describes how the project, created by the Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA), provides customized, on-site training to institutions without disrupting daily museum operations or community access. The authors also describe the impact of HELP on a small institution--The Depot Museum--in Henderson, Texas.
This article highlights four controversial exhibits from various institutions who, in the end, used controversy to their advantage. The authors include Kimberly Louagie, Curator of Exhibits at the Outagamie County Historical Society in Appleton, Wisconsin, Saudia Muwwakkil, Public Information Officer at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Diane Perlov, Senior Vice President for Exhibits at the California Science Center, and John Russick, Curator at the Chicago Historical Society.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Kimberly LouagieSaudia MuwwakkilDiane PerlovJohn Russick
In this article, Caitlin McQuade, an interpretive project developer, describes how four small history museums in St. Louis operate on tighter budgets while still fulfilling their missions. Through creative partnerships and comprehensive historical research, the leaders of these institutions have found ways to overcome the challenges of limited resources.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Caitlin McQuadeNational Association of Museum Exhibition
In this article, four panelists examine changes in exhibit design, identify the trends and currents that are feeding these changes, encourage more nuanced understanding of these implications, and evaluate the impact on the field. Panelists include Phyllis Rabineau, Deputy Director for Interpretation and Education at the Chicago Historical Society, Maeryta Medrano, Principal Director and President at Gyroscope, Inc., Paul Martin, Director of Exhibits at The Science Museum of Minnesota, and Lou Casagrande, President and CEO at the Boston Children's Museum.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Lou CasagrandePaul MartinMaeryta MedranoPhyllis Rabineau
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This article presents examples of practical strategies for developing a positive and productive working relationship between museum clients and outside design firms contracted to develop exhibits. Authors include Donna R. Braden, Lead Experience Developer at The Henry Ford, Joseph Hines, Owner and Principal/Designer of Project Arts & Ideas, and Sharon Klotz, Director of Exhibitions at the Brooklyn Children's Museum.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Donna BradenJoseph HinesSharon Klotz
In this article, Paul Orselli, President and Chief Instigator of POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop), examines the value and process of prototyping for exhibit development. Orselli provides advice on how to make the most of the prototyping process.
In this article, Amanda Griffith, Executive Director of Arthurdale Heritage, Inc., describes the work of the AHI New Deal Homestead Museum. Griffith describes how this small institution overcomes challenges related to operational expenses and lack of staff.
In this article, Rick Wurzer, lead interpreter, presents the challenges of creating exhibits at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, a small institution with limited staff. Wurzer shares eight valuable lessons he learned during the center's exhibit renovation project.
In this article, three museum professionals explain the meaning and importance of experience design. The authors include Dan Spock, Head of Exhibitions at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, Donna Braden, Lead Experience Developer at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, and Ellen Rosenthal, Executive Director at Conner Prairie in Fishers, Indiana.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Dan SpockDonna BradenEllen Rosenthal
In this article, Eileen Campbell, head of Farallon Media, discusses how video can be used as an integral part of exhibits, especially small exhibits, interspersed with objects, panels, interactives, and other exhibit elements. Campbell describes the various ways video can be used effectively in exhibits including presenting narratives, recreating environments, introducing people, showing the unseen or unseeable, showing beauty and motion, making connections to the wider world, and adding humor. Campbell also provides advice about producing videos for exhibits.
This article presents examples of how cross-department relationships can facilitate the development of new and unique educational content to engage audiences. Authors include Dave Becker, manager of the Hamill Family Play Zoo at the Brookfield Zoo, Rich Faron, President of Museum Explorer, Inc., Diane Gutenkauf, Chief Business Developer at Exhibit Works, Inc., and Marcia MacRae, Interdisciplinary Art Specialist at the DuPage Children's Museum.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Dave BeckerRich FaronDiane GutenkaufMarcia MacRae