Tell the Stories of Your Collections & Communities
Learn how to research, design, and create interpretive exhibits and educational activities. This series of five full-day linked workshops offers those working in Utah’s small museums hands-on learning in curatorial practice and exhibit development. Participants attend the entire series and complete a small exhibit project at their own museum. The program includes reading and project-related assignments, as well as a small stipend to support exhibit development. Museum Interpretation Workshops are presented in partnership with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.
I appreciate the congenial atmosphere and encouragement, the sharing of ideas, and helping each other on actual projects and not just hypotheticals.
These workshops have been the most valuable thing we have ever participated in. The information was clear, well presented, and easy to understand and get excited about.
– Workshop Participants
Future Workshops
This series is held over consecutive months to allow for project feedback and development. Participation in all five full-day workshops and completion of a small on-site exhibit project is required. Training and materials are free, but workshop space is limited and by competitive application. Watch for an opportunity to participate in the future. For questions, contact Megan van Frank at
Sample Workshop Materials
Participants in Museum Interpretation Workshops learn how to research, design, and create interpretive exhibits and educational activities. This series of five full-day linked workshops offers staff and volunteers working in Utah’s museums hands-on learning in curatorial practice and exhibit development. Participants attend the entire series and complete a small exhibit project at their own museum. The program includes reading and project-related assignments, as well as a small stipend to support exhibit development. Agendas and presentation notes will be posted just prior to each workshop.
Overview
Workshop Schedule
National (AAM & AASLH) Standards for Museum & Historic Interpretation
Workshop 1 - Telling Our Stories: Introduction to Museum Interpretation
Interpretation Workshop Agenda & Presentation Notes
Interpretation Bibliography & Readings
Workshop 2 - Finding Our Stories: Researching Collections & Communities
Research Workshop Agenda & Presentation Notes
Research Bibliography & Readings
Workshop 3 - Designing Our Stories: Well-Structured Exhibits
Exhibit Design Workshop Agenda & Presentation Notes
Exhibit Design Bibliography & Readings
Workshop 4 - Writing Our Stories: Exhibit Labels
Writing Workshop Agenda & Presentation Notes
Writing & Labels Bibliography & Readings
Workshop 5 - Teaching Our Stories: Museum Education
Museum Education Workshop Agenda & Presentation Notes
Museum Education Bibliography & Readings
Form Templates
Exhibit Planning Worksheet Template (Word Form)
Team & Timeline Management Template (Word Form)
Research Log Template (Word Form)
Object Information Worksheet Template (Word Form)
Rough Outline Template (Word Form)
Exhibit Label Tracker Template (Word Form)
Evaluation Sample - General Exit Survey (Word Form)
Evaluation Sample - Internal Exhibit Critique (Word Form)
Evaluation Sample - Audience Exhibit Survey (Word Form)
Final Project Report Form (Word Form)