Course Overview

This discussion-intensive course provides pre-professional training in exhibition and display practices in museum and gallery settings. Because both writing and display are central to the arts—and offer significant professional opportunities—the course emphasizes writing and research skills alongside technical and aesthetic problem-solving in exhibition design.

Course Description

Students will explore a range of curatorial methodologies through readings, discussions, and critical reflection on best practices in visual storytelling. They will also gain hands-on experience with label writing, interpretive materials, gallery and exhibition design, creative access strategies, evaluation methods, and the fundamentals of museum interpretation.

Exhibitions serve as vital spaces for dialogue, reflection, and learning, particularly in collection-based museums where objects connect audiences with history, culture, and ideas. This course asks: if exhibitions construct meaning by telling stories with objects, how can interpretation—through labels, panels, catalogues, digital media, and more—enhance that process?

Through a combination of readings, discussions, writing workshops, and experiential projects, students will examine the craft and stakes of effective exhibition writing. They will practice multiple genres of interpretive writing to understand how scholarship, interpretation, and marketing intersect to create cohesive and compelling narratives about an exhibition’s purpose, value, and relevance.

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze the impact of cultural, historical, theoretical, and practical perspectives on current museum practices through critical discussions and reflective activities.
• Articulate the roles and responsibilities of museums and galleries based on readings and class discussions.
• Demonstrate an understanding of key theories and practices in museum and gallery practices.
• Design, implement, and evaluate strategies for museum and gallery content
• Develop an appreciation for the potential of museums and galleries, and cultivate enthusiasm for contributing to the field

Required readings

All readings will be provided by the instructor on Canvas in a weekly folder. This course is based on the weekly reading assignments and the class discussion. For each week, students will read the listed materials. Each week, students will read the discussion and present the overview of the assigned readings for the entire class.

Technology

All students will:

• Use Canvas for communication, dissemination of course information, some class interaction, and assignment submissions.
• Use Canvas and SUU email to send and receive communication.
• Attach files in Canvas and email
• Use the Internet responsibly to research and collect data.
• Make presentations using digital software
• Make use of the recommended websites and other online resources to accomplish many of the assigned tasks for this course.

Attendance, participation, and professionalism (10 points):

The grade is a combination of your attendance, participation, and development of your professional behavior. You are expected to participate actively in class activities and demonstrate a professional demeanor.

Attendance includes:

• It is expected that you arrive on time and stay for the entire class.
• If you have a valid reason for missing class, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.
• If you miss class, you are responsible for any missed content and assignments. Some in-class assignments may not be made up and therefore you may not be eligible for credit.
• If you miss more than 3 classes without excused absences, you will have difficulty completing the course requirements which will seriously affect your grade. Please check in with me and provide an update.

Participation includes:

• Active participation involves coming to class prepared, responding to questions, participating in discussions, and engaging in class activities and assignments.
• I accept late assignments without any points deducted, but please let me know in advance by email how much extra time you need and for what reason.
• Please silence your cell phones to avoid class disruptions. Cell phones and/or other electronic communication devices should not be used during class time, unless needed to access information pertinent to the discussion or activities. You will receive a warning, if you appear distracted by your cell phones and/or other electronic communication devices. If you continue to appear distracted, you will be asked to leave.
• Scheduled breaks are taken during class time. You have two 10-minute breaks each class.
• You may have food in class.
• Your participation grade will be available on Canvas at the very end of the semester.

Professionalism includes:

• coming to class on time and being prepared
• taking responsibility and initiative for learning
• interest in improving communication skills
• patience, flexibility, and/or respect for multiple viewpoints, individual differences, and/or changing circumstances,
• cooperation with your peers and instructor
• willing to reflect on your own learning and being open to constructive feedback

Reading discussions (20 points):

• Reading presentations will be done on Wednesdays throughout the semester
• The weekly whole-class discussions are student-led.
• Students sign up for the readings you want to lead on the first day of class.
• Be prepared to present the key points of the reading in class to enhance the class discussion.
• Submit your presentations to Canvas one day before the class meeting.
• After your presentation, lead a class discussion on the reading with at least three questions.
• Promote thoughtful discussions by encouraging evaluation, critique, interpretation, and reflection of the assigned readings.
• You must be present, no matter if you are the discussion facilitator or not on that day. If you hope to make up the reading discussions, you may submit a two-page summary for EACH reading along with key points and your questions within 2 days after the class you missed.
• Depending on the number of students enrolled in the class, you can expect to present 1 or 2 sets of readings throughout the semester.

Exhibition review x 4 = 5 points each (20 points total)

A brief one-page written critique of a recent exhibition. You may choose to critique an exhibition you came across in a museum or gallery, online, or in a book. Include images from the exhibition with image credits. Look at other exhibition reviews online to get a sense of how to write this; however, it is more important to use your own voice when doing so.

Exhibition Brief (10 points) Mid Term:

Develop a two-page exhibition brief for a proposed exhibition. Your brief should clearly communicate your exhibition concept, explain why the exhibition is important, identify the audience you hope to reach, and describe how the physical and interpretive design of the exhibition will support your goals.

Your proposal may be based on an existing collection, artist, theme, historical event, social issue, or original concept. If you are a BFA candidate, use this opportunity to build your exhibition design for the BFA show in April.

Exhibition Labels (10 points)

Develop object labels and wall text for works that you will be using in your final project. Provide a frame in which to understand the work, and enhance audience engagement. Wall text label should be one page and include biographical information about the artist, artist statement, and the background of the work. Tombstone labels with title, artist, media, dates, and educational insight will be created for each of the works in the final project.

Exhibition Final Project and Presentation (25 points)

Final Project consists of a design and written elements of an original exhibition (may be of your own work). The project must include the following:

• Main introductory statement (one page)
• Floor Plan with object display (there are several virtual gallery creators online; is one)
• A Google Slides presentation based on your exhibition to present to the class.

Include 3 of the following components of your choice:

• Podcast or audio tour
• Social Media posts for the exhibition
• Media kit
• Press Release
• Exhibition announcement and invitation
• Education packet for tours with activities
• An interactive engagement

Important things to consider when designing your exhibition:

Design components:

• Theme/Focus Area
• Traffic flow
• Key sightlines
• Placement of text, cases, and pedestals
• Placement of interactive components

Object displays:

• Utilize the whole space
• What goes where? What are you trying to say with their placement?

Exhibition Text:

• Where will the main intro statement be?
• Title Wall?
• How will visitors know how to move in the space

Final course overview reflection (5 points)

Write an overall course reflection. Describe in approximately one page your overall learning experience in the class:

• What enhanced your learning?
• What surprised you?
• What would you change, if you could?
• What are your main “take-away” experiences?
• Submit to Canvas.

• I accept late assignments without any points deducted, but please let me know in advance by email how much extra time you need and for what reason.
• If you hope to make up the reading discussions, you may submit a two-page summary for EACH reading along with key points and your questions within 2 days after the class you missed.

• It is expected that you arrive on time and stay for the entire class.
• If you have a valid reason for missing class, please notify the instructor as soon as possible.
• If you miss class, you are responsible for any missed content and assignments. Some in-class assignments may not be made up and therefore you may not be eligible for credit.
• If you miss more than 3 classes without excused absences, you will have difficulty completing the course requirements which will seriously affect your grade. Please check in with me and provide an update.
• You must be present, no matter if you are the discussion facilitator or not on that day.

To ensure a productive learning environment, students are expected to adhere to course requirements and complete all assignments on time. The instructor may make necessary adjustments to the course, and students are responsible for staying informed of any changes.