Online Course: Developing Exhibitions: Design (Winter 2021)

Course Description

Developing Exhibitions: Design is an online course about how to design exhibitions. Guided by an expert instructor and supported by cooperative student learning, participants will design an actual exhibit. Participants will decide what their exhibit will be about and why, identify its storyline ideas and organizing concepts, and decide on its look and feel.

Throughout the course, participants will complete readings from the required textbook, review supplemental examples and case studies posted to the course site, and conduct an exhibit critique. 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 25 – March 21, 2021

COST: $195 AASLH Members / $295 Nonmembers

REGISTRATION: 30 participant limit; Please reach out to learn@aaslh.org if you would like to register for this course. 

PREREQUISITE: Developing Exhibitions: Planning is a prerequisite for this course. Students must have previously completed and passed Developing Exhibitions: Planning before taking Developing Exhibitions: Design.

Course Logistics

FORMAT: Online, instructor-led, weekly-paced course

LENGTH: 8 weeks

PARTICIPATION STYLE: Readings, discussion (two real-time online chats and weekly forum assignments - chat schedule to be determined by the instructor at the start of the course - if a participant is unable to attend a chat they can read the transcript and then post their thoughts/questions in the General Forum), and assignments. Students should expect to spend approximately 5 hours per week on the course.

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 discount code is provided after registration.)

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. Developing Exhibitions: Planning is a prerequisite for this course. Students must have previously completed and passed Developing Exhibitions: Planning before taking Developing Exhibitions: Design. 

Cancellation/Refunds for onsite workshops must be submitted in writing via email or mail. 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 continuing education (webinars and online courses) must be submitted in writing via email or mail. 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.

If you have any questions, please contact AASLH Programs staff at 615-320-3203 or learn@aaslh.org.