It’s easy enough to spot the daily wear and tear on interactive museum exhibits. Display units will also show some wear over time or simply go out of fashion, which means that they’ll need to be updated as well. However, it’s harder to know when exhibits are no longer engaging with patrons. Over time, identifying and providing engagement becomes an even bigger enigma for museums because exhibit updates need to appeal to an increasingly informed and demanding contemporary audience, while also recouping the expense of those often expensive updates.
The important thing to keep in mind is that the exhibits themselves can help museum directors expand their reach into the communities they serve. Diversifying the mix of people visiting the museum increases the percentage of the community members supporting the mission. And, when each visitor can say they had a good experience, the museum will establish an even stronger relationship with the greater community.
The Star Wars exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg appealed to a wide variety of people of all ages. Plus it was such a pleasure to help design and build.
Strategies to Capture More Visitors
There are four different exhibit orientations that provide opportunities for capturing a visitors attention:
- Exhibit as artifact on display
- An exhibit that communicates ideas
- Interactive exhibits
- An immersive environment
Any updates to an exhibit should follow these closely and fulfill the participant’s expectations. If an exhibit is not well matched with the audience, then they may not be enthusiastic for another visit. So, it’s in the museum’s best interest to provide the widest range of exhibit orientations without straying from their mission. Performing some research into the audience and opting to create ever-green, lasting exhibits can help create a strong foundation.
Audience, First
When reaching out to new audiences, it will be easier to place them into segments, rather than large ethnic or socio-economic groups. Understanding the target segment provides a greater opportunity for connection. Focusing on only one exhibit orientation may have a negative effect with these new segments. Do some research into your community and use your local Chamber of Commerce as a resource to access data about the community. Consider focus groups as a way to assess your community’s mindset and specific needs. We’ve actually participated in a focus group for a local St. Petersburg museum. It was quite interesting and we noticed that the programming and special exhibits have become more and more spectacular since they started the focus groups. It’s definitely worth the investment, as long as you use the resulting data to take action.
This exhibit appeals to a particular audience segment – children. Being that it is the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center, it is only appropriate that the content and style are geared towards kids.
Quality Does Matter
Quality design of exhibits and space will capture more interactions with visitors. According to the Smithsonian, the quality of a museum is largely based on the exhibit’s:
- Use of authoritative presentations
- Easy-to-use technology
- Easy-to-do interactions
- Graphic design
- Educational focus
There is also a greater expectation that museums provide a more quality experience over other community attractions, even though they are not necessarily in the same category.
Exhibit to Promote Learning
Engaging museum exhibits can facilitate personal and group learning. A good exhibit links to past experiences and everyday events. Any updates to interactivity can promote more identification with the exhibits, as well as the proper interpretation of the exhibit. This will integrate a broader range of audiences and create deeper, developmental experiences.
ADM Two custom designs museum exhibits. We are experts on design, fabrication, and exhibit technology, so give us a call at (813) 887-1960 and one of our knowledgeable staff can assist you with your museum exhibit design and planning. Also, check out some of our other articles to get more information on museum displays.