Museum Mondays: The Anatomy of an Exhibit - More Than Meets the Eye
When you step into an exhibit, what you see is the tip of the iceberg. Behind each label, artifact, and interactive experience is a carefully woven tapestry of choices, voices, and goals. In this post, we’re pulling back the curtain to explore the essential building blocks of an exhibit—and why each one matters.
Artifacts: The Heart of the Story
Artifacts are the tangible anchors of an exhibit. Whether it's a century-old railroad lantern, a handwritten letter, or a handmade quilt, objects connect us to lived experiences in a way nothing else can. Choosing artifacts is about more than visual appeal; it’s about finding pieces that carry meaning, evoke emotion, and spark questions. Each artifact is selected to represent a part of the story we're telling—and sometimes, the story it hints at is just as powerful as the story it tells.
Display case from our recent 1920s Exhibit at the West Chicago Library
Labels: Guiding the Conversation
Labels are the quiet narrators of an exhibit. They help visitors understand what they’re seeing, provide context, and invite deeper thought. But good labels don't just "tell" — they "ask." Thoughtful exhibit writing can spark curiosity, encourage personal connections, and leave room for reflection. In crafting labels, we ask ourselves: What do visitors need to know? What do we want them to wonder about? Where might their imagination take them next?
Discussions and Interpretations: Learning Together
An exhibit isn't a lecture; it's a conversation. Many museums now incorporate visitor feedback, discussion spaces, and even prompts that ask visitors to share their thoughts, memories, or ideas. These elements remind us that interpretation isn't static. Each person brings their own experiences and perspectives, enriching the exhibit with layers of meaning we couldn't have predicted.
Programming: Bringing Exhibits to Life
Exhibits don't end at the gallery doors. Programs like gallery talks, workshops, tours, and family days extend the learning and offer more ways to engage. Programming can deepen connections to an exhibit's themes, offer hands-on experiences, or open up intergenerational conversations. It's a way to invite people not just to "see" an exhibit, but to experience it through community, creativity, and dialogue.
Guests at West Chicago’s 2024 Frosty Fest exploring our second floor exhibit through our winter scavenger hunt.
And More: The Invisible Work
Beyond artifacts and programming, there's a hidden world of exhibit development: research, conservation, design, accessibility planning, marketing, and community partnerships. Every decision—from the height of a text panel to the lighting of a display—is made with intention, aiming to make the experience welcoming, meaningful, and memorable for every visitor.
At the West Chicago City Museum, we see each exhibit as a living project—something that grows and shifts with the community it serves. In our next post, we’ll take you deeper into how we come up with exhibit ideas, from the spark of inspiration to building a full concept. Stay tuned!
