A successful exhibition does not depend on its size, how much was spent on it or how many visitors arrived. Any exhibition can be a success with good organisation and careful planning, and this book presents the consummate planning guide for exhibitions of all styles and purposes.
Until the 20th century museums and art galleries had relatively stable collections, and displays would remain unchanged, perhaps for decades, until a new curator was appointed. However, with the growing popularity of display spaces in new venues – libraries, universities, research institutes, archives, theatres, airports, shopping centres, sporting arenas and the like – demand for innovative exhibitions has been flourishing. An exhibition enhances the atmosphere for staff and visitors, highlights newsworthy features, showcases an organisation, adds a sense of history and heritage, and can be instrumental in forging international links.
In Organising exhibitions Freda Matassa presents comprehensive coverage of all aspects of the topic within 302 well-laid-out and easy-to-read pages. Each chapter concludes with a planning checklist, a summary and a list of notes and references for follow-up research. Part 1 takes the reader step-by-step through the process of presenting an exhibition: preliminary organisation, packing, transport, installation, openings, maintenance programmes, and finally closure and de-installation. Additional chapters cover travelling exhibitions and a consideration of the legacy of an exhibition or the long-term benefits which remain within a community after an exhibition has closed. This long-term effect should actually be considered in the earliest stages of concept planning. Other aspects of programmes include opportunities for fundraising, research opportunities, openings for associated publications and links to be forged with new contacts that can be developed into the future.
Part 2 consists of a directory, aimed mainly at UK practitioners, but also covering aspects of international standards, laws, ethics and best practice procedures relevant to both static and travelling exhibitions. These include hiring contractors and couriers, freight security, insurance, copyright, customs, due diligence, and responsibilities for lenders and borrowers in the national and international sphere.
The book's bibliography includes print and online sources, and an excellent index makes the book easy to navigate as well as easy to read. Designed for the beginner as well as for the experienced event organiser, this book covers absolutely everything about exhibitions, as well as some topics that you did not even know you needed. It will prove invaluable for teachers and students of library and museum studies, as well as practitioners, archivists and curators of all types of collections and private collectors. Its up-to-date information and resource lists make it a vital resource.