Exhibition/Syllabus Break Down – Susquehanna University Museum Studies

The purpose of this first meeting is to get the lay of the land. What will the next fourteen weeks of your project look like?
ADVICE: identify your collection as early as possible. The sooner you choose the physical contents, the better you will be. Also start thinking early about the purpose of your display. Understand your from the beginning, and everything you produce will connect to it.

A few weeks into the project, you and your advisor will discuss your topic and your campus exhibit site in more depth.
ADVICE: I had my topic chosen very early on. I cannot recommend this enough. Figuring out your collection and theme/topic allows you to center your research and adjust your script.

The big idea statement is defined as “a concise, non-compound, active sentence that conveys the exhibition’s central message and purpose.” This is like a shorthand version of your theme, so being able to state it clearly is crucial.
Prepare to revise this multiple times to get the best possible statement. It’s not a one-and-done.
ADVICE: This was very hard for me. My brain could never wrap around how I was supposed to create a single sentence to incapsulate a large display without minimizing its impact. My best piece of advice? Write the single sentence that you like (whether it’s run-on or compound). Get all your ideas on paper. From there, revise as you see what really is most important to your project.
My Big Idea Statement: A collection’s value come from its owner.

The object list is straightforward; it’s just a list of what you have to display so that you can stay organized. All objects go on the list.
The outline describes the “flow” of your exhibit (how you want the viewer to experience the text and objects).
ADVICE: I did the object list on my computer and my outline on paper. I drew a mock sketch of the case and did a rough drawing of where my signs and objects would go. This let me show my advisor my plan for the exhibition’s “story.”

This is a more concrete version of the outline from the week prior. The fleshed-out version improves the flow and physical design of the exhibit. Like everything else in this process, it’s to make your job easier in the end.
ADVICE: Take these outlines seriously; they are what you’ll base a lot of your final display on. Without a good flow in the outline, your set up will take twice as long. Do the work now to save yourself effort later.

I had a short bibliography of about six sources that helped me better understand theories behind collecting. Your bibliography will include sources on the theory, history, and cultural meanings of your particular objects and exhibitions in general.
The full draft script is every piece of text (labels, panels, cards) that the viewer will see. It is up to you how you want the words to flow. Incorporate ideas about theory, humanity, and your actual collection.
ADVICE: Think of your script this from the perspective of the viewer. What do they need? What don’t they need? How can you tell them enough but not too much?

You will work with your advisor to revise the script so that it allows your audience to get your point. If done right, the script will get across your “big idea” without stating it directly.
The final object list will not be much different than your draft one from a few weeks ago.
ADVICE: Not much advice besides take the script seriously. A good script will work at your opening, when you’re there with the visitors. It will serve as a full guide to the exhibition when you’re not there.

The case sketch is a simple drawing that gives you an idea of the general lay out of the case and where your signs, items, and perhaps title poster will go.
The label dummy provides a general idea of what the labels will look like (size, font, color, etc.).
ADVICE: I once was given the advice that it is better to be confident and have to start over completely than never to be confident and create something subpar. Confidence is important for this exhibition project. The sketch and dummies allow you to fake it until you make it.

This meeting will cover a lot of logistical things, like making sure everything is printed properly and sized well, and that you have all materials you need for installation.
ADVICE: Know how to get the keys to your case. If you can take them with you for a day or two, then you can install the exhibit on your own schedule. I took one afternoon and spent a good two or three hours adjusting everything and making sure that everything looked the way I wanted it to.
Bonus advice: It’s helpful to bring a friend because most of the cases open from the side. You need someone at the front telling you if things look good.

Congratulations! Your opening is underway.
Encourage your friends and family to attend.
Prepare to speak about your display. Talk about its theme and objective, your inspiration, and the story of how you got your objects.