Developing Exhibitions: Planning & Design (Winter 2026) - Online Course
- Registration Closed
Course Description
An AASLH Small Museum Pro! Online Course
Developing Exhibitions: Planning & Design is an online course about how to plan and design exhibitions. Guided by an expert instructor and supported by cooperative student learning, participants will develop an exhibition and create a design package. Participants will decide what their exhibit will be about and why, identify its storyline ideas and organizing concepts, develop a budget, and decide on its look and feel.
Throughout the course, participants will complete readings from the required textbooks, review supplemental examples and case studies posted to the course site. Whether participants come to the course with an imaginary exhibit in mind, or with the intention to develop an actual exhibit, this course will guide them through each step, providing encouragement and guidance along the way and a chance to exchange ideas and experiences.
Each week participants will be expected to:
- Study materials directly within the online class site;
- Find other resources on the web or in the community and share them with the class;
- Share your own knowledge, experience and resources with the class; and
- Complete one or more exhibit-development assignments and share your work with the class.
Details
SESSION DATES: January 12 - March 8, 2026
COST: $230 AASLH Members / $330 Nonmembers / 10% discount for STEPS participants with promo code found in the online STEPS Community
OPEN REGISTRATION: August 25, 2025 - January 5, 2026; 30 participant limit. Courses typically fill up before the registration deadline, so register early.
Course Logistics
FORMAT: Online, Instructor-led, Weekly-paced course
LENGTH: 8 weeks
PARTICIPATION: Students should expect to spend approximately 5-7 hours per week on readings, text-based forum discussions, and assignments
LIVE ZOOM DISCUSSIONS: We recommend downloading the Zoom mobile or desktop app for this course.
- A one-hour live Zoom discussion will be held biweekly on Thursdays at 12:00 PM Eastern
- Zoom discussions are recorded in case a participant is unable to attend the live sessions
MATERIALS:
- Required text: Exhibit Makeovers, A Do-It-Yourself Workbook for Small Museums, Second Edition, by Alice Parman, Ann Craig, Lyle Murphy, Liz White, and Lauren Willis, 2017.
- Texts are NOT INCLUDED with registration. Participants must order the book separately from the book seller of their choice. A 30% discount code is provided after registration when ordering directly from Bloomsbury.
TECHNOLOGY: Participants will need access to internet and a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet to participate in this course. For the live Zoom discussions, we recommend having access to a camera and a headset, earpods, or other audio and microphone device. Automatic captioning is available in the Zoom discussions.
CREDIT: Successful completion of this course (B or higher) will earn one credit toward the Small Museum Pro! certificate from AASLH.
Participant Outcomes
At the end of the class, participants will:
- Have firsthand, guided experience with a proven, step-by-step process for planning exhibits;
- Have experience with tools that will assist you in exhibit planning for your museum;
- Be familiar with other resources for more information; and
- Have a network of small-museum professionals with whom to confer on future exhibits.
Who Should Take This Course
This course is a beginning level course designed for professional staff and volunteers of historical organizations and libraries who have little to no experience with exhibit development and design.
Having issues registering? Please contact learn@aaslh.org
Please note AASLH's Notetaking Tools Policy: During webinars and online courses, the use of any AI notetaking tools such as meeting assistants is prohibited to ensure the confidentiality and security of the discussion. Our sessions are automatically recorded and transcribed for participants. AI tools will be removed from events by AASLH staff if they appear. Please contact us at learn@aaslh.org if you need to use AI tools for accessibility reasons.
Jenney Fazande
AASLH Online Course Instructor
Email: jfazande1@gmail.com
Jenney Fazande is an experienced and creative designer with more than ten years experience in exhibit development, fabrication and museum administration. Holding a Master of Arts in Exhibition Design from the Corcoran College of Art and Design. Jenney has worked with museums and galleries of all sizes, including The National Museum of African American History and Culture, The National WWII Museum, The Smithsonian Anacostia Museum and Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Design Atlanta, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and more. Jenney has also collaborated with community artists working in varying mediums to bring unique installations to life in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington DC.
Experienced in all aspects of exhibit development and management – from design, fabrication and installation to accompanying marketing, public programs and financial oversight – Jenney can effectively translate concepts into compelling installations. An emerging leader in the museum field, Jenney was awarded the 2017 PACE SETTER Award by the Association of African American Museums for her innovative traveling exhibit, Fighting for the Right to Fight: African American Experiences in World War II, which has been on display across the country since 2016.
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LockedIf you have any questions, please contact AASLH Professional Development staff at learn@aaslh.org or 615-320-3203.
Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the early-bird registration deadline date will receive a full refund. Cancellations made between the early-bird deadline date and eight days prior to the workshop will be subject to a $55 processing/materials charge. No refunds will be given within seven days of the workshop date. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.
Cancellations/Refunds for online professional development (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email to learn@aaslh.org or mail to 2021 21st Ave S., Suite 320 Nashville, TN 37212. Cancellations made prior to the start date for the online course or the day of the webinar will be given a full refund. No refund will be given after the start date for the online course or on/after the day of the webinar. Registrants may transfer their registration to another person. Registrations cannot be transferred between courses or course sessions. AASLH is not responsible for cancellations that were mailed or emailed but never received.
