Amy: regarding credit/acknowledgements for temporary exhibits: our rule
to to acknowledge EVERYONE!  We change exhibits as often as our tiny
budget permits, and we utilize alot of volunteers, interns, local
"Friends" members, local corporations, etc.  I couldn't do any
exhibition work without TONS of help (most of it unpaid), so my
"pay-back" to these wonderful people is a panel, silkscreened when
possible, dedicated to those who worked on or for the show.  I put this
panel as close to the front of the exhibit as possible.  It's an expense
that I include in all of my planning.

As a curator who does so much more than "traditional" curators of the
past, I find that most folks don't have a clue about what a curator
does.  In my institution I do whatever I have to to keep the doors open,
the visitors happy and the board informed.  Sometimes that means
sweeping the front walk.  Whatever it takes.  When acknowledging
curator's work (either mine or guest curators), I use the term "by" .

IE:  Images of a President:  Portraits of James Monroe, a huge show (for
us) in 1992 was acknowledged as " title of show" BY Lee
Langston-Harrison, Curator, with the assistance and support of:  then I
listed the 50+ people who helped IN ANY WAY.  This was there was no
doubt who to speak to with concerns, comments or questions.  Also, it
was a good way for undergrads to get some credit for their work.

Oups, sorry to run on so.  I hope that I answered your question!  Good
luck, Lee

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Lee Langston-Harrison
Curator
James Monroe Museum
908 Charles St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
(540) 654-2113
(540) 654-1106 (fax)

>
> 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
> [log in to unmask]
>