To do an exhibition you need to follow some steps:

1. Initiation of project. (The idea for the topic)

To have the idea you need to target the potential members of the exhibition team. The idea could fit on special event or a special personality (locally, nationally, regional) e.g.  Usually the members of the team implied could start a brainstorming session to find the theme. The same team could identify if it is an opportunity to have a topic fit on the artifacts, spaces and a reasonable budget.

2. Proposal describes main stories to be told; principal objects / collections / images / films / oral histories. Also a likely budget and time frame.

The team is constructing the proposal based on the patrimony, spaces, timeline and the budget available. The proposal is tuned to fit on the resources identified. A draft version with objectives and resources is build.

What are the main objectives?

What kind of objects will include?

How can be protected objects? 

What kind of displayed furniture should be used?

What security equipments are needed?

What problems could we have with transport?

What kind of lights we need?

Which bodies could be asked for extra funding?

What is the impact in local community?

What kind the public is targeted?

Which media agencies should be integrated in the project for a better dissemination?

What stories should be included?

What new stories should be developed?

How will make the visitors to real participate to the exhibitions?

How will use the visitor’s feedback to improve the message?

How we can use the last media technologies?

What tools we should use for feedback?

e.g.

An intermediate budget and deadlines are built. The main tasks are designed and the members know, each other, the responsibilities. A museum curator is named head of the project

3. Department inspection of the Project

The idea is evaluated by chef of the department who can ask for more details and can add comments. The exhibition is included in museum future project list.

4. Approval by museum manager.
Official funding is discussed.
The manager and scientifically board of the museum confirm objectives and outcomes to be achieved by the project, what are the success criteria, purpose for doing the exhibition. It is ensures that the Project team has a clear and complete outline of the project; time frame; budget; location; target audience; procedure for conflict resolution within team is provided.

5. The Marketing and Media department are testing the concept. What interests the audience? Possible title? What visitors like/dislike? How we can add value to the Project.

6. The Project is reevaluated having in mind the constraint in space, resources and staff. Final discussion with Management team and the final budget is approved.

7. Exhibition brief is compiled for the designer to produce a formal design - includes communication objectives, target audience intellectual structure, “feel” of exhibition, content, possible interpretive media to be used.

8. Construction is commenced. Details of tenders, contracts, object conservation, copyrights, multi media, electronics, sculpting, casts, illustrations, murals, educational components, Internet publishing, marketing strategies are addressed. The invitation to press and officials are sent.

9. Object installation includes Conservators, curators and workers. Designer is adjusting everything. Each object is having the official procedure for moving artifacts. The Conservator of collection should sign for security in exhibition time. The assurance company is doing the last inventory.

10. Fine tuning happens prior to official opening. This includes systems testing, training future operators, staff training and possible trial audiences.

11. Opening.  Press conference and official tour.

12. Remedial work. Press reviews. Swot analyzes.

13. Press monitoring. Feedback tools are used. Impact analyze of the Exhibition. Small adjustments were needed.

14. Final analyze from Marketing and Media department. Publish data.

15. If the impact was huge we can consider exporting the exhibition or concepts to other museums. 

Literature:

S.A. Luca: Introducere în muzeologie generală, Sibiu 2004.

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au/education/resources/objects/exhibitions.asp