Museum Leaders in Training Fall 2015
Professional Development: An Introduction to Exhibition Design and Curatorial Work
Program Objective
This professional development course will familiarize students with the theories behind and responsibilities of a curator, exhibition designer, educator and the exhibition team. The student will gain hands-on experience with the process of creating an exhibition from concept to design to installation. The theories and skills developed in this seminar will create a foundation for further exploration into the many varied roles within museum studies and spatial design.
Students will work as a unit to decide on an exhibition thesis and in groups of 4-5 students to curate and design a thematic exhibition based on the resources available at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. While students will not have direct access to objects in the museum collection for the own exhibition, they will be able to create an exhibition narrative inspired by the museum’s history, the museum’s grounds, the museum’s staff, and/or the collection. Students will determine collectively how to approach the curatorial aspects of the theme and then work in their designated groups to design sub-thematic narratives.
The project based outcome of this curriculum empowers students to gain hands-on and real world experience, formulate their own approach, and plan for execution. Upon the completion of the course, each student will have personally contributed to the planning, implementation and fabrication of a joint exhibition that will be on view at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Art Education Center.
Materials
Please bring a PENCIL and paper with you to class. Pens are not allowed in the galleries and we will be in them often as part of our studies.
Syllabus
Training Session I: Sep 26, 11 am—2:30 pm, Orientation
Students will:
- review program documents and syllabus
- tour the museum to become acquainted with the space
- participate in gallery exercises
Training Session II: Oct 3, 11 am—2:30 pm, What occupations are there in a museum?
Students will:
- be given an overview of the multiple roles and departments in a museum
- hear from VMFA staff presenters on curatorial practices and design
Training Session III: Oct 10, 11 am—2:30 pm, How do curators develop themes for an exhibition?
Students will:
- define exhibition themes
- participate in gallery exercises to identify gallery themes and subthemes
- review examples of and begin to discuss how to develop bubble plans
Training Session IV: Oct 17, 11 am—2:30 pm, How do you research?
Students will:
- learn about the importance of research when developing exhibition concepts and designs
- visit and tour the VMFA Library and receive a library orientation
- distinguish best practices for research and documentation of sources
Training Session V: Oct 24, 11 am—2:30 pm, What is spatial design?
Students will:
- define what elements are considered in spatial design
- articulate how thoughtful design can help convey a message
- use color, scale, and typography to illustrate an exhibition component
Training Session VI: Oct 31, 11 am—2:30 pm, Why is spatial documentation important?
Students will:
- measure a designated space and use an architectural ruler to create a scaled drawing of the space
- work in teams to develop curatorial and design proposals using curatorial social media sites or collage
Training Session VII: Nov 7, 11 am—2:30 pm, How do you refine concepts and present ideas?
Students will:
- work in groups to organize and refine ideas
- define what an exhibition script is
- prepare a first draft script and design proposal
- articulate design proposal in a cohesive manner to group
Training Session VIII: Nov 14, 11 am—2:30 pm, How do you organize and best convey a story through the medium of exhibition?
Students will:
- create a preliminary mock-up of their exhibition, using skills obtained during the spatial documentation workshop
- manipulate and explore the function of typography, graphic elements, and visual hierarchy
- make decisions on graphic layout
Training Session IV: Nov 21, 11 am—2:30 pm, What materials and methods create exhibition elements?
Students will:
- hear from VMFA Exhibition Project Management team
- finalize spatial and graphic layout designs
- discuss a schedule of graphic elements to be work-shopped or ordered
Training Session X: Dec 5, 11 am – 2:30 pm, How can an exhibition project be managed through fabrication and installation?
Students will:
- create a graphics schedule
- work with both design software and be given studio time to prepare exhibition elements for fabrication
Training Session XI: Dec 12, 10 am – 4 pm, Fabrication and Installation
Students will:
- work in teams using an array of materials to create graphics for their exhibition
- begin installation in their exhibition space
Training Session XII: Dec 19, 10 am—4 pm, Fabrication and Installation
Students will:
- finalize all fabrication and installation for their exhibition
Go to Work with VMFA Day: Mar 30, 9 am—5 pm
Students will:
- receive an orientation to your department
- facilitate and lead informational interview
- tour of any pertinent back-of-the house areas in which the VMFA staff person works
- participate in a special assignment related to their assigned staff persons role
- write a survey of their experience and a staff thank you letter
Closing Reception and Recognition Ceremony: Apr 23, 2—4 pm