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.
Visitor-Centered Exhibition Design: A paradigm Shift for Art Museums
1. Visitor-Centered Exhibition
Design: A paradigm Shift for Art
Museums
Silvia Filippini-Fantoni
@silviaff20
@imamuseum
Director of Interpretation,
Media, and Evaluation
8. Old Model: all decisions 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: the core team
identifies the main thesis
and learning outcomes
These are used to inform:
• Checklist
• Layout
• Title
• Interpretive plan
• Content
• Evaluation
10. Testing: incorporate
testing and evaluation
throughout the process
Research and Evaluation
team:
• Manager
• 1 part-time staff
• 3 or 4 data collectors
• 1 or 2 contractors
19. Title Testing
Paintings in the 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
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)?
39. • Resistance mostly from
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 designers and
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