Hildegard ([log in to unmask]) writes: > What *is* the difference between an exhibit and an exhibition? > > I have always thought (and had it firmly engrained in my education) that an > "art" museum has exhibitions, and exhibit implies a historical, natural > history, material culture, etc. museum. > > Now, when I hear the word exhibit being used to refer to contemporary art, > I cringe. Trouble is, I've recently changed jobs and everyone on the staff > of my present museum uses the word exhibit in just such a way. I feel that your "firmly engrained" education may have had an influence here, Hildegard. The teaching of definitions present a problem in the classroom when those terms have many different meanings. I teach a 1st-yr exhibit design theory course, and have to start *somewhere*, so I put forth the definitions that I have grown to know and love. I stress, however, that there are different interpretations of the words, depending on what institution you are in, or what continent you are on, for that matter. I tend to think of an exhibit as either a small exhibition, or a single display within a larger exhibition. My thinking tends toward historical and natural history museums. Art museums tend to havbe different interpretations for these terms. Books on basic exhibit design will usually have a paragraph or two dealing with these definitions. Dennis Lloyd Algonquin College Nepean, Ontario, Canada.