As a former professional mechanic and having built my own home, I’ve spent a lot of time considering “alternative” sources for exhibit “stuff.”  We use a lot of commonly available items from home centers, auto parts stores, industrial supply houses, and etc. to build exhibits with.  Rarely does anything get scrapped around here that I don’t first strip it for parts.

 

Just like the Myth-Busters, we rarely use things as they were intended, but (usually) get the job done.  Just don’t get over your head with things like electrical wiring and don’t run afoul of building safety and fire codes, etc.  Know when to call people with licenses.  Safety first, then have fun.

 

Curtis Morris

Exhibits

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

From: Cass Karl [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 4:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit (displays) on the Cheap

 

I would agree that one should not skimp on technology- generally it will not be worthwhile.  However, there *are* places where costs can be cut when designing an exhibit.  Most people never think beyond either what they have immediately on hand (a stapler and scotch tape= free) or what they see in Exhibit Builder (= thousands of $$).  There *is* a middle ground to be had, it just takes creativity and common sense to find it.

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 2:54 PM, unknown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

On subject #1 : “There’s never enough money to do it right the first time, and always enough money to do it twice because it got screwed up the first time.”

 

“cheap” encoder $26.50  “expensive” encoder $450

Life expectancy of cheap encoder : 24 hours after opening day, fudging and daily maintenance to keep it going thereafter

Life expectancy of expensive encoder : 10 years absolute minimum if applied correctly (which costs more money)

Difference in gallery: “Out of order again” sign

 

“cheap” resistive touchscreen $350  “expensive” capacitive touchscreen $800

Life expectancy of resistive touchscreen: until someone decides to rub it with a nail or a coin

Life expectancy of capacitive touchscreen: years

Difference in gallery: “Out of order again” sign

 

“cheap” signage $100 “expensive” equivalent $250

Difference in gallery: edges peeling on sign

 

It is truly better spend money on quality and have a few very good things than it is to spend a little money everywhere and have something that doesn’t work and looks shabby inside of a few weeks….

 

 

 

From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Cass Karl
Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 12:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit (displays) on the Cheap

 

Laurie,

When exactly is your conference? Where is it to be held?  I live in SE Texas, but have friends in the Atlanta area who I have been trying to visit for a while now.  I co-led a workshop for the Wisconsin Federation of Museums on cost-effective exhibit design, so I believe I'd be qualified.  Please send me more information to the email below.  Good luck!

-Cass Karl

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 12:38 PM, las <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hello:

 

I am a curator at a small museum in West Georgia.  I am tired of looking at my own exhibits and thinking "surely this could look better!", feeling like some of my text looks one step above an elementary school bulletin board!  Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who doesn't know the secret of quality displays with little expense and all of you are experts at it, because I am often very impressed at the brilliant suggestions that come across this email in regards to text, lebels, production, furniture, etc. Well, because I have just about had it with my own limitations in these areas, I am potentially planning to moderate a conference session at January’s Georgia Asso of Museums and Galleries on the topic of cost-conscious exhibit design/fabrication and are currently looking for people who would like to be on our panel.  The three topics areas are:  

1.       Interactives (mechanical, hands on, audio, video, intro films, interactive kiosks, etc),

2.       Furniture and supports (platforms, pedestals, acrylic bonnets, cases (all-in-one), artifact supports and artifact mounts, etc),

3.       Graphics (large background photographs, smaller images, titles, text, i.d. labels, graphic panels, etc)

 

Now, I am guessing that not many of you are here in the south, but if you are or would like to attend our conference, or just, by chance, are passing through (yea, right!) and could potentially be on my panel, and you are one of those brilliant people out there who knows the secret of fabricating these types of things (mostly in house, especially for #2 and #3) at very little cost but WITHOUT sacrificing/compromising quality, please respond to this email and I will contact you to discuss further off list.

 

Best Regards,

Laurie Sedicino, Curator

Legacy Museum on Main

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