Download as PDF, PPTX
Uploaded bySilvia Fantoni
Visitor-Centered Exhibition Design: A paradigm Shift for Art Museums
This document summarizes the shift in art museums from object-centered exhibitions designed by curators to visitor-centered exhibitions developed by interdisciplinary teams. It outlines the new process of incorporating visitor research, testing, and evaluation at every stage of developing exhibitions. This approach has led to exhibitions that more successfully communicate key messages, increase visitor engagement and satisfaction, and achieve learning outcomes. However, resistance from curatorial staff and the need for more planning time are ongoing challenges to implementing this new model.
More Related Content
Similar to Visitor-Centered Exhibition Design: A paradigm Shift for Art Museums
Visitor-Centered Exhibition Design: A paradigm Shift for Art Museums
- 1. Visitor-Centered Exhibition Design: Aparadigm Shift for Art Museums Silvia Filippini-Fantoni @silviaff20 @imamuseum Director of Interpretation, Media, and Evaluation
- 3.
- 4.
- 5. Process: • New exhibitiondevelopment process Participation: • Participatory in-gallery experiences Programming: • Innovative participatory and experiential programs Visitor-oriented approach
- 6.
- 7. •Non-Art Museums •Detroit Instituteof Art •Oakland Museum of California •Denver Art Museum •Brooklyn Museum Inspiration
- 8. Old Model: alldecisions were made by curators New Model: interdisciplinary core team is created at the start and makes all decisions. It includes: • curator • interpretation specialist • evaluator • designer • exhibition manager Curator Layout Content Idea Checklist Other Inter. tools Public Programs Old Model New Model
- 9. Big idea: thecore team identifies the main thesis and learning outcomes These are used to inform: • Checklist • Layout • Title • Interpretive plan • Content • Evaluation
- 10. Testing: incorporate testing andevaluation throughout the process Research and Evaluation team: • Manager • 1 part-time staff • 3 or 4 data collectors • 1 or 2 contractors
- 11. Rome wasn’t buildin a day! New director
- 12.
- 13. n=576 21% 21% 27% 31% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Art Deco Automobiles DuesenbergsAutomobile Masterpieces Concept Cars Front-End: Automobile Design
- 14.
- 15.
- 16.
- 18. Visual Identity Testing Option1 Option 2 Option 3
- 19. Title Testing Paintings inthe Round • Round room (12) • Round objects (8) • Paintings of round objects (7) • Music round (5) • Circular paintings, round canvas (4) • Architecture (2) • Theatre (2) • Abstract/Geometric Art (3) • Panorama (2) • Other (5) On the Flipside: Secrets on the Back of Paintings
- 20.
- 22. Summative: Exhibition Evaluations •Have learning outcomes been met? • Are visitors satisfied with their experience? • How do they engage with the art and interpretive tools? • What problems do visitors encounter? • Who visited the exhibition (demographics & psychographics)?
- 23. 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 1 2 34 5 6 7 8 %UsageofExhibitionElements Gallery # Extended Labels Simple Labels Artworks Observations
- 24.
- 25.
- 26.
- 27. Less Text MoreVisuals
- 28.
- 29.
- 30. Provide More ActiveExperiences Old Method Engagement Framework
- 31.
- 32.
- 33.
- 34.
- 35. BEAUTY & BELIEFAI WEIWEI INDIANA FACE TO FACE O’KEEFFE Learning Outcome 1 73% 87% 97% 93% 90% Learning Outcome 2 67% 77% 86% 83% 80% Learning Outcome 3 67% 53% 79% 63% 57% Learning Outcome 4 60% 47% 79% 50% 57% Learning Outcome 5 47% 40% 62% 37% 53% Learning Outcome 6 40% 40% 34% 33% 33% Learning Outcome 7 30% 30% 24% 20% 30% Learning Outcome 8 23% 27% Old Model New Model Better Communication of Key Messages
- 36. Higher Usage ofInterpretative Tools 30-50% 40-60% 46%60%
- 37.
- 38.
- 39. • Resistance mostlyfrom curatorial staff • Resistance from other institutions • Process is more time- consuming (planning is two years out) • Process is more contentious (Who directs the process? Conflict vs. Creativity)
- 40. Next Steps•Involve designersand curators more frequently in the testing process •Implement strategies to help members of the core team work better together. •Extend the model to permanent collection and contemporary exhibitions •Understand consequences of new admission model
- 41.