This section contains general descriptions of my chosen group-skills within the context of the wider exhibit. For a detailed synopsis of my past and current activities, future plans, and self-evaluations regarding these skills, please see Section 3 (Evaluation of Group-Skills). For an overview and evaluation of my class activities outside of these skills, please see Section 4 (Class Work Evaluation).
Grant Application
My role is to assist in the drafting and submission of a grant application for the project. Acquiring a grant will supply additional funding to be put toward exhibit development and will complement any income acquired by the fundraising team. This skill requires extensive reading on different types of grants and learning strategies for writing a successful application. I will need to consult with financial experts at CSU and local museums to learn about the intricacies of the application process. I will also research the different types of grants that nonprofit museums typically apply for and learn how to tailor applications to meet specific requirements. The grant team and I ideally prefer to acquire a legitimate grant for our exhibit, but time constraints may restrict the feasibility of that plan. In any case, we will still draft and submit a grant to a foundation in order to gain experience for this skill set.
Collection Management
This skill involves recording and cataloguing records of objects for our exhibit. My primary tool for organizing this information will be the PastPerfect collection management application. Although the cataloguing process cannot begin until the exhibit actually acquires objects, I can build this skill in the meantime by reading about how to operate PastPerfect. Since many museums use this application, mastery of it will prove very helpful for collections management outside of this project. I intend to learn the strategies and methods that curators recommend for effectively managing large collections while I build this particular skill.
Mount and Display
While collections management and grant applications are useful skills for gaining administrative experience in a museum, I also want to further develop my knowledge of physical exhibit construction. This skill will teach me fundamental aspects of displaying objects and preparing a gallery space in an efficient manner. Aesthetic elements like proper shelf-spacing and lighting are essential for an enriching experience in a museum. I also hope to learn how to prepare and construct a gallery space in a fashion that accentuates the objects and stories on display and draws patrons’ attention to them. The quantity and variety of objects we receive will largely dictate how the mounting process will unfold, but we must be prepared for anything.
Exhibit Layout
Closely related to Mount and Display, this skill category centers around the conceptual (as opposed to physical) construction of gallery spaces. After obtaining measurements of the museum floor plans and clarifying what our topics our project will specifically address, we can begin to formulate how the exhibit will take form. One of the most important aspects in developing this skill is learning how to arrange an exhibit in a way that engages patrons and effectively conveys our desired narrative. Understanding how to manipulate or capitalize on patterns of visitor movement throughout the gallery space will be crucial for maximizing audience engagement. Available objects will again influence how the final layout takes shape, but we are also prepared to research unorthodox ways of exhibit design, such as taking the exhibit outside of the museum and integrating it into the wider community. Considerable literature exists on theories and strategies for effective exhibit layout, and I will need to read as much as possible on the subject.
Graphic Design
Graphic design is a very versatile skill to have in a museum, as it is utilized in several different areas of a typical institution. Advertising, exhibit décor, and social media are only a few of the many applications for graphic design. I will collaborate with members of different outreach teams as I develop this skill, as any form of public media concerning the exhibit will require some type of identifiable visual aid. Aesthetic elements of the physical exhibit will require graphic design skills, especially in regard to labels and imagery. I will need to develop my abilities with design tools like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. I will also learn how to appropriately and effectively convey the intentions and messages of the exhibit in visual form through logos and simple imagery.
Visitor and Audiences
This final skill is the most public-oriented of the six selected categories. It largely focuses on how visitors think about and interact with the exhibit and what kind of audiences the exhibit should engage. I am going to develop an accurate account of visitor demographics to our museum so we can tailor the exhibit to the expected audiences. This exhibit is a public history project and therefore hinges on community involvement. Understanding who our audience is will be crucial to our overall success. We will administer surveys to visitors before and after the exhibit opens in order to gauge public opinion and bolster cooperation with the community. A museum’s effectiveness and relevance as an educational and cultural institution depends to a great degree on how well it understands and engages with its visitors. Although this skill is less technical than my other group-skills, it will help me develop a more publicly-attentive mindset that is vital for working in any museum.
