Also a great area of debate here at Glenbow.  In the past 2 years we have
completely re-done the exhibits on one floor and mounted another new
permanent exhibit on another floor.  The 4th floor teams tended to each
handle credit panels differently - some listed just the core team members,
some listed extended team members, some listed other contributers
(contractors, donors, etc.)  In all cases, somebody was left out
(unintentionally) and in one case someone was creditted who didn't even work
on the project!

I was project team leader for the exhibit mounted on our third floor and
when it came to be our turn to do a credit panel, we had a lengthy debate
within the team.  What we finally decided to do was put up a panel that
mentioned no one by name, but that thanked everyone.  And we made it big and
colourful.  This is the text:

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We couldn't have done it without you!

You are among the many people whose hands, minds, and hearts played a part
in the making of Growing Up and Away: Youth in Western Canada.

You  donated your childhood treasures or those of your children.

You  shared your opinions or related your personal experiences.

You  lent us your technical skill.

You donated or shared your photographs with us.

You  expressed your childhood through art.

You  gave gifts of time, money, or goods.

Whatever your contribution, you have helped make the exhibit dynamic,
compelling, and real.  For this we thank you.

Growing Up and Away was generously  supported by the City of Calgary,
Alberta Lotteries Fund, and The Museums Assistance Program, Canadian Heritage.
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We decided that the only "named" credits would be for our sponsors.

In retrospect, this still isn't perfect because while it makes sure that you
don't miss someone, it still doesn't give the visitor a clue as to who to
contact with questions.  A current exhibit team at Glenbow has decided to
name an "Exhibit Liaison", both in the exhibit and in the publication; "If
you have questions about Memories of War, Dreams of Peace, please contact
our Exhibit Liaison, ...."    We'll see if this works.

I'll be interested to see what others have to say as this is still something
we struggle with.

Christina Simpson
Co-ordinator of Evalaution/Results Monitoring
Glenbow Museum
Calgary, AB  Canada
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>We have had several discussions here at the Tempe Historical Museum
>about how to handle acknowledgements or credits for our changing
>exhibits.  In the past, we have only acknowledged guest curators,
>citizen advisory committees, consultants and corporate sponsors
>but not the museum staff or volunteers who have had a role in producing
>the exhibits.
>
>We decided to list the exhibit curator's name recently because we have
>found that visitors often have questions about the content of the exhibit
>and don't know to whom they should address these questions.  The idea was
>simply to give a kind of citation or statment of authorship, not to credit
>the curator per se.
>
>Simply putting up on the wall "curated by" with the exhibit curator's name
>is not satisfactory for a couple of reasons.  First, the public does not
>really understand what a curator does (and I might add, neither do most
>museum professionals really have a handle on it).  The term "curator" is
>used out of convention but it has come to mean so many things, both within
>and between institutions, that it almost means nothing anymore.  Second,
>this statement creates the impression that only one individual is responsible
>for the exhibit which is patently false.  It is a team effort in which
>everyone has a significant role to play.
>
>How have other museums handled this issue?  Do you list staff and/or
>volunteer credits?  How do you direct visitor comments and questions, or
>let them know who is accountable for the content (facts, interpretive
>statements, selection of artifacts, etc.) that they see in the exhibit?
>
>Please reply to me or the list.  I'd be interested to read how you all
>have been able (or not been able) to resolve this issue.
>
>
>Amy A. Douglass
>Tempe Historical Museum
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>
>