Manual of Museum Exhibitions

"The third edition of Manual of Museum Exhibitions (first edition, 2002) offers a thorough, up-to-date guide for anyone engaged in exhibition processes, from development and design to implementation. These distinct phases of the exhibition process are framed by five interrogative adverbs--why, where, what, who, how--each of which corresponds to a section of the volume, with one or more chapters devoted to answering the question posed therein. The sections address, respectively, the purpose of exhibitions, in particular how museums respond to a changing world and greater community engagement; physical requirements to mount permanent and temporary exhibitions; types of exhibitions (on-site and online) and their content from science to art; ways of understanding visitors and exploring the impact of diversity, equality, accessibility and inclusion on the development process; and the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the development process. This last section consists of nearly half the chapters and numerous case studies to support the many facets of interpretive planning, design and content coordination, and fabrication and installation that enable exhibitions to realize connections between the visitor, object, and the stories offered or facilitated in exhibitions. This volume will appeal to readers interested in curatorial studies, museology, heritage management, history of collections, library and information sciences, and related fields. Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; professionals.-- ""Choice Reviews"" This new edition provides updated in-depth, practical information on the conception, organization, and creation of museum exhibitions that made earlier versions my textbook of choice for teaching museum studies and a recommended resource for new professionals. Expanded sections on evaluation, interpretative planning, and digital and emerging media bring this edition up-to-date. Placed at the beginning of the book, the editor and authors engage with critical issues of today's world, including social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion - of museum audiences as well as those within the museum.--Patricia Podzorski, Curator of Egyptian Art and faculty member, Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Museum Studies, Department of Art, The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee (USA) As museums continue to expand and deepen their engagement with new and diverse audiences, Maria Piacente's Manual of Museum Exhibitions is essential reading. This book is a well-written and accessible manual for instructors and museum professionals alike. It considers both the practical elements of organizing museum exhibitions and the bigger picture questions of audience and community impact. From the conception phase to program evaluation, this book contains all the information you need to organize dynamic and vibrant museum exhibitions.--LaNitra M. Berger, PhD, Senior Director, Office of Fellowships, Office of Undergraduate Education, Associate Director, African and African American Studies Program, George Mason University"