Design an Exhibit and Write Labels

A team of students will work together to conceive and create an exhibit for the class museum. This team

includes: curators (2­5), an exhibit designer, a production chief, technicians (2­4), preparators (1­2),

and educators (1-2).

The curators develop an exhibit proposal. The whole class can act as an exhibition committee to vote on

what exhibits to do. Then tasks or roles are assigned to those other than the curators (see "Prepare for

Exhibit Opening" activity for additional roles, such as an editor to review text and a graphic designer to

help with the design of labels).

M

AT E R I A L S

:

objects (see Activities 1­3)

a place to hold the exhibit (hallway, library, classroom, etc.)

graph paper (for exhibit layout/drawings)

notecards

measuring tape

heavy-weight paper for signs/labels/text panels

markers for labels/text panels (or print labels from computer and paste on heavier

stock)

simple exhibit cases/hangers etc. as determined during exercise (homemade or pre-

fabricated)

S

T U D E N T

R

O L E S

:

Curators:

1) meet with each another and discuss topics for exhibit (based on objects in the

class museum's collection).

2) create proposals for two or three exhibits to present to the class for a vote.

3) make a list of objects that will be in the exhibit, and discuss themes/arrange-

ments with exhibit designer and educators. Work with the educators to determine

what the themes of the exhibit should be and what the team wants visitors to learn

from the exhibit.

4) work together conducting research about the objects and write labels.

5) make sure the content presented in the labels is accurate and work with educa-

tors to be certain that it is clear and easy to understand.

6) review exhibit designer's proposed exhibit layout and check the exhibit's

progress.

W

H AT TO P U T I N Y O U R L A B E L S

:

Exhibit Title and Main Label:

The exhibit title should be short and exciting. It should make visitors want to see

the exhibit. The Main Label following the title should explain what the exhibit is

about and why it is important. It should be up to one paragraph in length.

Object Label Format for Cultural History (decorative arts, anthropological artifacts):

* Name of the object

* Date the object was made

* Name of maker ("Maker Unknown or Artist Unknown" if unknown)

* Place the object came from or was used

* Materials used to make the object

The label can also have additional information that relates an object to its time peri-

od, style, or maker, or perhaps compares it with other objects.

Building a Museum in Your Classroom

Design an Exhibit and Write Labels--page 1