Taylor Studios is currently working on a project that is utilizing the
team approach.  We are designing and will eventually fabricate a
completely new World Culture Museum.  This project is on a university
campus and we work directly with the academics on content and the museum
collection.  The exhibit content is driven mainly by the collection of
the museum. We also work with the museum architect on many issues.

The academics give us their basic content ideas.  Then we brainstorm and
make new suggestions.  We present these ideas and then work to fine tune
them to their goals.  This process goes back and forth quite often.
Each of us has specific authority or responsibilities (i.e. TSI creates
all exhibit design components, the museum staff and academics (using our
input) writes the copy, the architect handles electrical,...).

We are approximately three months in to the project and so far the team
approach is working great.

On many of our past projects we have used a semi team approach.
Typically, we are given the educational goals, we present our exhibit
ideas and it goes back and forth until everyone is pleased.

On most of our projects we are purely the fabricator.  As a fabricator
we have to work with the main contractor, the designer, the owner and
any other fabricators.  We all approach the project as a team.  All of
these have been successful.

I have had a somewhat negative experience with a team approach.  My
business parnter and I volunteered our time to help a local museum get
started.  We joined the exhibit committee.  There were many other groups
involved (i.e. local sponsors, board of directors, fundraising
committee, ...).  Nothing ever seemed to get done because everything had
to be approved by every other committee.  There was constant turnover in
each committee, so each meeting ended up being a rehash of the past
instead of forward progress.  Additionally, noone seemed to take a
leadership role and with no authority nothing got done.  It was a very
frustrating experience.

I hoped this was somewhat helpful.  Feel free to E-Mail me directly with
more questions or give me a call (217) 586-2047.  You can also check out
some of our fabrication projects at our web site
http://www.taylorstudios.com

Betty Brennan
Taylor Studios, Inc.

> >
> > Hello. I am conducting research on the "team approach" to exhibition
> > planning. By the "team approach" I mean the process by which a core
> > team--curator, designer, educator and/or developer work
> > collaboratively from the start to plan the organiztion of the
> > exhibition content intellectually, spatially and experientially.
> > Would you please repond to the following questions:
> > 1.  Does your museum employ the team approach to exhibition planning?
> > 2. If so, is there an exhibition currently on view that is the
> > product of the team approach?
> > 3. What is the name and e-mail address of the individual at your
> > museum who is responsible for exhibitin planning?
> > I would appreciate any information you can send. Thanks. Ann P.S.
> > This is a "second notice." Much thanks to those who have already
> > responded.
> >