Exhibitions

Did you or a colleague create an innovative exhibit about the American West in 2013 or 2014? The Western Museums Association (WMA) is pleased to consider applications for the 2014 Charles Redd Annual Award honoring excellence for an exhibition that furthers the study and understanding of the American West. The Award is funded by the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies at Brigham Young...
By Susan Spero
Next to me at the Asian Art Museum’s (AAM) Yoga: The Art of Transformation exhibition stood a woman holding a rather large magnifying glass that she was using to see the tiniest of details in the Indian Miniature painting before her. I thought to myself, “She’s so smart to bring a magnifier to the show!” To be honest, I was jealous; I wanted one too. Ten paces later, I saw more...
By W. James Burns, Ph.D.
One of the Desert Caballeros Western Museum’s (DCWM) greatest successes in its 54-year history is the creation of its Cowgirl Up! – Art from the Other Half of the West program in 2006. This Spring marked the 9th anniversary of this internationally-known event which has put the Museum, and the town of Wickenburg, Arizona, on the map within the Western American art world....
By Ruth Shelly
Opening April 22, 2014, Outdoor Adventure, the newest permanent exhibit at Portland Children’s Museum, has transformed more than 1.3 acres of previously inaccessible land into an intentional, education-based outdoor play space where every area is designed to support learning through play in nature.
Portland Children’s Museum is the only children’s museum in the nation that also...
By Cheryl Hinton
As we experience the great American traditions of Super Bowl and the World Series this season, we may not think immediately of American Indians. Yet, most sports fans know about ancient Indian sports, such as lacrosse, as well as about contemporary Native American sports heroes in baseball, track and football. This slice of American life runs deep in Native America. Sports are...
By Jennifer Miller
Close your eyes for a moment and imagine a long hall, but not too long. Around you, you can hear the lapping of water against the shore, birds calling, an airplane flying over in the distance. The end of the hall is darkened save for a projection of a passing shoreline taking up the entire wall. You think you recognize it but you’re not sure. It draws you in with the slow,...
By Angela Fisher
The Church History Museum had a tremendous opportunity this past year as we collaborated with the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Texas to bring 23 original Norman Rockwell paintings to Salt Lake City in the exhibit American Originals: Norman Rockwell and Scouting. Not only was this a tremendous opportunity in terms of bringing new visitors into the museum and building...
By Andrea Taylor
At the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience in Seattle, also known as “The Wing,” we have a large and continually growing tours program. Like most museums, we offer an extensive list of programs specifically designed for students as well as regularly offered tours for daily visitors. Anyone interested in coming to The Wing to learn more about Seattle's Asian...
By Diane Converse
The Pratt Museum is a small museum located in Homer, Alaska at the “end of the road.” There is a thriving arts community, fishermen are based here, and Alaskans from other parts of the State sometimes choose to retire here as the climate is relatively mild. People visit in the summer to enjoy the beautiful scenery, visit the art galleries, to fish, and to enjoy the many outdoor...
By Dave Stroud
This session took place during the Western Museums Association 2013 Annual Meeting
Tightly focused exhibitions improve guest experience, but that is just the beginning! Everyone involved with a project benefits from a concise exhibit message. From developers to fundraisers to board members, a clear definition of what the exhibition is, and is not, improves understanding, buy-in,...

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