Ann,

In response to your request for information re: the exhibition planning process
(as it may or may not exist) at the Canadian Postal Museum (a division of the
Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Hull, Quebec) we use a co-operative, team
approach to exhibit planning.  In brief (very brief), the steps we follow are
as follows (following selection/approval of subject):

1. Research paper is written by curator and/or historian
2. Exhibit team is assembled, comprised of curator, designer, interpretive
planner, co-ordinator, assistant curator (sometimes) a
3. Team begins series of meetings to develop scenario, hammer out design
necessities, develop & incorporate interpretive strategy - artifact lists for
both internal objects and possible loans are compiled and incorporated into
design
4. meetings continue as scenario if  fleshed out , design takes shape and
interp. strategy is solidified.
5. once scenario and interpretive strategy are finalized, designer arrives
with prelim. design package including artifacts, interp. devices, etc. - the
whole is reviewed by team, tweaked where necessary then submitted for approval.
6. once approved work on the final design begins (solidifying drawings,
specs. text, images, etc.) and this too is submitted for approval
7. after this the technical work begins (i.e. preparation, fabrication,
installation)

The largest exhibit developed using this technique is 'Winged Messenger", on
display at the CPM until Sept. 30/98. It will be followed by an exhibition on
the rural post office in Canada which is scheduled to open at the end of
November, 1998. We are also employing the 'process' for this exhibit. Overall,
the CPM enjoys using this team approach to exhibit development - it is more
democratic and it allows for more opinions on a subject which, while at times
can be somewhat difficult, always ensures that one view/opinion is not being
given centre-stage. It acts as a built-in sounding board for ideas among a
group of people familiar with the exhibit subject matter and also allows for a
real sharing of ideas at all levels of the process, from scenario development
to interp. development to design. On a much more practical level, it also gives
different members of the team, who have different responsibilities/functions,
an opportunity to see first-hand the constraints and problems faced by other
teams embers in their respective functions i.e.  design constraints because the
shape or size of an exhibit space, research limitations, artifact problems
(unavailability of objects etc.) scheduling, budget concerns etc. - everyone
gets achance to see that they aren't the only dealing with less than ideal
circumstances for puttig together an exhibit.

Denise Corbett
Canadian Postal Museum
Hull, Quebec
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