Despite a long history of using participatory methods to enable public engagement with issues of societal importance, interactive displays have only recently been explored for this purpose. In this paper, we evaluate a tabletop game called Futura, which was designed to engage the public with issues of sustainability. Our design is grounded in prior research on public displays, serious games, and computer supported collaborative learning. We suggest that a role-based, persistent simulation style game implemented on a multi-touch tabletop affords unique opportunities for a walk-up-and-play style
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Alissa N. AntleJoshua TanenbaumAllen BevansKatie SeabornSijie Wang
In this article, Peter Kuttner FAIA, President of Cambridge Seven Associates, Architects and Exhibit Designers and Director of the American Institute of Architects, argues that museums have a unique responsibility to pursue sustainable design. Kuttner outlines the historical evolution of sustainable exhibit design, the LEED rating system, and the role museums should play in the "green movement" with the California Academy of Science as an outstanding exemplar.
In this article, Gillian McIntyre, Adult Program Coordinator at the Art Gallery of Ontario, analyzes the successes and challenges of the Gallery's "In Your Face: the people's portrait project" exhibit. The goal of this exhibition was to create a gallery made entirely by and for the public. Visitors submitted postcard-sized portraits in any medium of their choice including writing. McIntyre explores the public response, exhibition design, achievements, and obstacles associated with this experimental exhibit design.
This evaluation instrument was developed for Exploring Physics, an extra curricular program for 5-7 grade students, with a focus on female students. It is part of an NSF funded program entitled Promoting Young Women in the Physical Sciences.
In this article, Alan J. Friedman, a consultant on museum development and science communication, details his experience working on the development of the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Center of Science and Industry) in Paris, 1981. Friedman describes lessons learned including the value of planning, the role of evaluation and prototyping, and comparisons between American French exhibit development.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Alan J. FriedmanVisitor Studies Association
In this article, Donna R. Braden, Experience Develop and Curator at The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, provides tools and strategies to reduce "friction" when developing exhibitions. Included are helpful worksheets and lists that assist exhibit developers as they establish parameters while laying the initial exhibit groundwork, promote collaboration amongst the team, and assist stakeholders and other decision-makers in efficiently fulfilling their roles in the exhibition planning process. These tools and strategies are intended to be used as a personal toolkit, and can be adapted or revised
In this article, John Jacobsen, CEO and CO-PI at the White Oak Institute, President of White Oak Associates, and Co-Chair of the Professional Interest Committee for Green Museums (PIC Green), explores sustainable design and argues that large museums have a lot to learn from smaller institutions. Jacobsen outlines how and why museums should take a "leaner and greener" approach.
In this article, Mary Jane Taylor, Interim Director of Public Programs at Winterthur Museum & Country Estate, shares the Request for Proposal process associated with the "Made in China: Export Porcelain from the Leo and Doris Hodroff Collection at Winterthur" exhibition and the associated "Design your own plate" interactive. Evaluation results and RFP are included in this article.
This article presents three museums with new approaches to sharing information about dinosaurs. The authors include Nancy Lynn, Director of Traveling Programs at the American Museum of Natural History, Jennifer Pace Robinson, Director of Exhibit Development at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Jeffrey H. Patchen, President and CEO, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and Todd J. Tubutis, Senior Project Manager of Exhibits at The Field Museum in Chicago.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Nancy LynnJennifer Pace RobinsonJeffrey H. PatchenTodd J. Tubutis
This article highlights some of the diverse ways that different types of museums use place-based education to further their missions and benefit their audiences. Authors include Janet Petitpas, Assistant Director of the Bay Area Discovery Museum, Maggie Russell-Ciardi, Education Coordinator for the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Lori Salles, Exhibit Manager at the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Mary Jo Sutton, Director of Exhibitions at the Bay Area Discovery Museum.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Janet PetitpasMaggie Russell-CiardiLori SallesMary Jo Sutton
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this article, David James Whitemyer, Director of Production at Christopher Chadbourne and Associates, examines the question of whether or not exhibit designers should "professionalize" (i.e. require degrees, licenses). Whitemyer looks to other professions as models, and ultimately, calls on individuals to take more responsibility for maintaining high "standards" and continuing to push their skill set and knowledge base.