Description
Book SynopsisThis ground-breaking book is the first to provide museum staff, librarians and archivists with practical guidance on creating and organizing successful exhibitions.
Drawing on international museum practice but applicable to any exhibition or display, the book sets out a time-line from the initial idea to the final legacy. Backed up by advice and guidance and with a list of resources for those who require in-depth knowledge, it has up-to-date information on new developments such as sustainability and flexibility in environmental conditions. Also included are the ten biggest mistakes and the top ten tips for exhibition success.
Part One covers the 10 key stages for a successful exhibition: idea, planning, organization, packing and transport, installation, openings, maintenance and programmes, closure, touring, and legacy. Part Two is a directory of advice and resources, supplementing the information provided in Part One.
Readership: Written by an international expert and designed for the first-time exhibition organizer as well as the professional, this book will become the standard for exhibition success. Recommended for museum staff, cultural heritage students, librarians, archivists, private collectors and anyone who needs practical guidance on organizing exhibitions
Trade Review"International lecturer Freda Matassa (former Head of Collections Management at the Tate) presents Organizing Exhibitions: A Handbook for Museums, Libraries and Archives, an in-depth reference and resource for museum staff, librarians, and archivists. Chapters discuss how to take space, audience, and budgetary constraints into account; offer point-by-point checklists for each stage of creating the exhibit; outline concerns for opening day; highlight specific issues for an exhibit on tour; and much more...It also lends credibility to the organization and demonstrates professional practice. Organizing Exhibitions is a "must-have" for aspiring and practising professionals, and highly recommended."
-- Midwest Book Review
"Organizing Exhibitions is a thorough work and key procedures are well covered...The detailed ‘step by step’ approach, supported by the sample documentation, provides an excellent grounding that can be easily adapted to a number of circumstances."
-- Archives and Records
There are a number of textbooks available to give practical advice about museum practice and the creation of exhibitions. However, this book by Freda Matassa is one of the clearest and easiest to read publications for those who have little experience in setting up an exhibition.
-- Claire Marsland * Catholic Archives *
Table of ContentsIntroduction Exhibition organization The successful exhibition Background Exhibition benefits Planning an exhibition Notes and References PART 1: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO ORGANIZING EXHIBITIONS1. Idea Fundamentals Concept Objects Policy People Space Finance Audience and programmes Time schedule Objectives and risks Stage One checklist Summary Notes and references 2. Planning Fundamentals Project management Communication Project team Schedule Loans and lenders Exhibition space Budget Insurance Exhibition design Transport Stage Two checklist Summary Notes and references 3. Organization Fundamentals Loans and lenders Design and build Environment Insurance Transport Marketing and publications People Stage Three checklist Summary Notes and references 4. Packing and transport Fundamentals Internal moves External moves Lenders delivering their own loans Insurance Stage Four checklist Summary Notes and references 5. Installation Fundamentals Planning for installation Team Schedule Gallery preparation Access Delivery Unwrapping and inspection Receiving couriers Display furniture and fixings Placing and hanging Labels and signage Lighting Preparation for the opening Invigilators Stage Five checklist Summary Notes and references 6. Openings Fundamentals What kind of opening? Planning Safety and security On the day Afterwards Stage Six checklist Summary 7. Maintenance and programmes Fundamentals Monitoring Ongoing requirements Daily activities Events and programmes Stage Seven checklist Summary Notes and references 8. Closure Fundamentals Planning Deinstallation Return Completion Stage Eight checklist Summary 9. Touring exhibitions Fundamentals Why send an exhibition on tour? Planning and agreements During the tour End of the tour Exhibition tour checklist Summary Notes and references 10. Legacy Fundamentals The importance of legacy Evaluation Impact Archives Stage Ten checklist Summary Notes and references PART 2: DIRECTORY Air freight security Claims Commissions Contractors Copyright Couriers Customs, import and export Damage reporting Disclaimers Display cases Due diligence Emergency plan Environment Ethics Government indemnity Hazardous materials Insurance Light and lighting Pest management Security Sustainability Unclaimed loans Valuations Visitors with special needs Bibliography Publications Standards Websites
