Trends in Museum Exhibitions

Laura and Kate’s Observations 2011

1 – Mix it up

Bringing together collections across traditional lines and boundaries

Cocktail Culture at RISD

2 – Cross disciplines

Art and History; Science and Art; Anthropology and History, etc.

Art Encounters Preservation Revitalizing Historic Sites Through Co

ntemporary Art

3 – Add another art form

Other artistic disciplines, not usually found in museums, can change visitors’ perspectives

ICA’s Dance / Draw oxherding – combined ink paintings

and poetry

4 – Multiple voices

Who else has a perspective on the work, the history, or the issues?

5 - Globalism

Is anything really limited by national borders?

6 – Immerse the visitor

And use multiple senses and ways of learning

7 – Visual communication

Design is more explicit and important than ever before

8 - Link past, present and future

History, science, even art are only relevant if there are links to today

Buurtwinkels exhibit (local convenience stores) at Amsterdam Museum

9 – Get outside!

Relevance also comes from linking to community sites, partners, etc.

Buurtwinkels had small exhibits in the windows of local stores

10 – Take on issues

From last week, talk about questions that are important to visitors

11 – Share the work

Co-Curation means sharing authority, decision making and responsibility

MN 150 is the best example Cooking

12 – Use the crowd

Even civilians can help shape exhibitions

You Like This! State of the Art/Art of the State

13 - Give people something to do

Participation – it’s not just for children’s museums!

14 – Invite an expert

What happens when a scientist, a historian, an artist, a social worker or a curator is in the gallery, talking to visitors?

Marina Abramovic was part of the exhibition The Artist is Present at MoMA

15 – Lift the veil

Show visitors what goes on behind the scene in curatorial, conservation and exhibition departments

MFA Behind the Scenes galleries

16 – Embrace technology

Technology is embraced rather than either hidden or grudgingly accepted, even in the most traditional museums.

Cell phone tours are so 2000! QR codes are everywhere The Warhol: app

17 - Go young

Giving younger visitors a voice is the first step on engagement.

MoMA teen audio tours

18 – Allow fun!

Don’t take everything quite so seriously. People want to have fun.

In summary…

Mix collections Mix disciplines Bring in other art forms Bring in other voices Go global Immersion Visual communication Past, present, future Get outside Include stories

Take on issues Share the work Use the crowd Allow participation Invite an expert Lift the veil Embrace technology Youth & elderly inclusion Allow fun Pop Ups