Services Offered
The Critical Review
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An expert critique of exhibits and programs based on clearly articulated experience-based criteria. Less formal than a full evaluation, a Critical Review is often all that is needed to inform decisions and initiate changes. It can be valuable at any stage of exhibition development.
The reviewer, Ted Ansbacher, will engage with all exhibit and program components and observe visitors in order to: •Analyze the visitor’s experience in terms of immediate engagement and possible outcomes. •Assess ease of use, comfort, and support for social interaction. •Critique labels and other media for content, clarity, and consistency with experience-based exhibition goals. The client receives a written report containing the complete analysis and recommendations. If desired, presentations are made for Board members and Staff. |
Content Development
Interactive Exhibits Proposal Writing Staff Development Workshops |
Content means all that a visitor can see and do at an exhibition, not just the information in the labels.
Articulate both experience and outcome goals for visitors. Suggest ideas for major object- and phenomenon-based exhibit units. Recommend supplementary exhibits and support media. Prepare an exhibition concept map showing how exhibit units relate to desired outcomes and to each other. Interactive exhibits may engage visitors physically, but at their best engage visitors mentally in a back-and-forth inquiry sequence with the exhibit. •Use objects, phenomena, models, and simulations to attract and hold visitors' attention. •Provide for a sequence of visitor actions and multiple inquiry paths, resulting in visitor satisfaction and enjoyment. •Test prototypes to assure proper function, accessibility, and comprehensability. The essence of a good proposal is a good project plan. Our plans include: •Rationale—What the project will accomplish and why it is important. •Project description—The major elements of the project and how they will serve the project goals. •Work plan—The steps which will take the project to completion. •Staffing—Who will carry out the work plan and how they will be organized. •Advisors—Who will be called on for specific expertise. •Budget—What it will cost, and why. The Exhibit Experience, a one-day workshop, customized for each institution, introduces the theory and practice of experience-based exhibitions. A typical agenda includes: •The experience-based model of learning •A microanalysis of the exhibit experience •Engaging the visitor •Outcomes of the exhibit experience •Strong, weak, and empty interaction •Effective labels for interactive exhibits |