Developing and Planning Exhibitions - Overview

Image: setting up the 2014 ANZANG Photographer of the Year exhibition.

Every exhibition starts with an idea and develops through a series of steps to reach completion.  As exhibitions are the most visible expression of a museum’s mission statement, they require sound planning from the early research through to the design and evaluation.    

Research is essential to turn the initial idea into an exhibition.  Early research not only provides background information that may justify proceeding with an exhibition, it also provides content for theme panels, object labels and the overall content for the exhibition.

The process of developing an exhibition usually begins with plotting out a few key points including:

• aims and objectives
• target audience
• themes and sub-themes (storylines)
• objects and documentary material
• design elements
• budget

Focusing on the key points will assist in keeping the project on track especially when it comes to writing labels and putting displays together.  A golden rule to keep in mind is that it is better to tell one or two stories thoroughly rather than try to present everything.  As every object has the potential to tell a number of stories, clarification of the ultimate aim of an exhibition makes it easier when deciding what to include, what may be left out and what particular information should be emphasised.

A structured exhibition with a main theme allows visitors to increase their knowledge as they move through the displays.  Permanent exhibitions usually have broad themes that align directly with the museum’s interpretation and collections policies.  Whereas temporary exhibitions are more focused and contain more detail as they usually cover a limited topic.

Conservation standards should be considered in all exhibitions.  Light levels from all sources should be regulated to conform to these standards.  Environmental monitoring is important to ensure humidity and temperature remains within an acceptable range.  Objects must be well supported and displayed in a manner that ensures protection.

Once an object list for an exhibition has been finalised the design elements are then considered.  The design of the exhibition, that is the lighting, colours, spacing and sequence of the objects, adds value to the story or theme of the exhibition.  A successful exhibition design not only protects the objects on display it ensures ease of movement for the audience within the exhibits.

A major contributor to a successful exhibit is the information/text panels and labels.  Good labels improve communication and make exhibitions more accessible.  They give audiences a direction, assisting them to comprehend objects by providing clues about how to understand the material presented to them.  Text in larger labels/text panels can be broken up with shorter paragraphs, catchy headings, and/or highlighting with bold type.  Distinguishing the text using these techniques encourage reading by those who may normally be put off by lengthy printed sections.  Generally, labels look much better placed next to or near an object rather than on it.  For a thematic display, several labels could be numbered and printed on one card.  The objects would have their corresponding number sitting next to them.  Regardless of the design of the exhibit, the emphasis with labels should be on clarity, consistency and conciseness.

A required element of the exhibition development process should be public programs and marketing, which are needed to attract the interest of the public. Public programs are a way of extending the scope of an exhibition.  They can range from a press release through to lectures, workshops and a guided tour of the exhibits, and can be educational or more light hearted and entertaining.  The purpose of exhibits is to get people through the door of the museum and a successful public programs campaign will give the exhibition a greater profile.

An evaluation of the exhibition is a useful way of reviewing the planning process and determining what worked and what did not.  It is important to make notes of comments from staff and visitors regarding labels, access pathways, objects on display etc.  It is vital to listen to the comments of others, as it is easy to miss a slip-up in an exhibit and a thorough evaluation will contribute to an improved exhibition next time.     

Adherence to these details in developing and planning exhibitions will acknowledge the museum as dynamic and contribute in maintaining community interest in the museum.  (Also refer to information sheet A step by step guide to developing and planning exhibitions.)

References and further reading:

Museums Australia Inc (NSW), Museum Methods, A Practical Manual for Managing Small Museums, Sections 5.1 Developing an exhibition and Section 5.2 Exhibition planning, Section 6 Exhibition development and touring.

Museums and Galleries NSW, Fact Sheets and Technical Information