Home > Courses > MUSEUM METHODS | Elizabeth Kryder-Reid

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Outline of Exhibition Development

(adapted from Dean 1994)

I. Conceptual phase

1. Product-oriented activities:
   • Collecting ideas
   • Comparing ideas with audience needs and the museum's mission
   • Selecting projects to develop
2. Management activities
• Assessing available resources to do the project (staff, space, funds, schedule)
3. Results
   • A schedule of exhibitions
   • Identification of potential or available resources

II. Developmental phase

1. Planning Stage
   1. Product-oriented activities
      • Setting goals for the exhibition
      • Writing the storyline
      • Designing the physical exhibition
      • Creating an educational plan
      • Researching promotional strategies
   2. Management activities
      • Estimating costs
      • Investigating sources and applying for funding
      • Establishing resource budgets
   3. Results
      • An exhibition plan
      • An educational plan
      • A promotional plan
2. Production stage
   1. Product-Oriented activities
      • Preparing the exhibition components
      • Mounting and installing the collection objects
      • Developing the educational programs and training docents
      • Implementing the promotional plan
   2. Management activities
      • Overseeing the availability and use of resources
      • Tracking progress and coordinating activities
   3. Results
      • Presenting the exhibition to the public
      • Using the educational programs with the exhibition

III. Functional Phase

1. Operational Stage
   1. Product-oriented activities
      • Presenting the exhibition to the public on a regular basis
      • Implementing the educational programs
      • Conducting visitor surveys
      • Maintaining the exhibition
      • Providing security for the exhibition
   2. Management activities
      • Settling accounts
      • Administration of personnel and services
   3. Results
      • Achieving the exhibition goals
      • Preventing the deterioration of collections
2. Terminating Stage
   1. Product-oriented activities
      • Dismantling the exhibition
      • Returning the objects to the collection storage
      • Documenting collection handling
   2. Management activities
   • Balancing accounts
   3. Results
      • The exhibition is ended
      • The collections are returned
      • The gallery is cleared and repaired

IV. Assessment Phase

1. Product Oriented Activities:
   • Assessing the exhibition
   • Assessing the development process
2. Management Activities
• Creating an evaluation report
3. Results
   • An evaluation report
   • Suggested improvements to the product and the process

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© 2003 MATRIX
Project Director: Anne Pyburn
Indiana University Bloomington