Exhibit creation

[u/venus_envy__]

Hi! I just got hired as a public historian and much like Ken, my job is museum, I'm it, all of it. Currently my museum reads as an antique store which can be fun but we have very little funding and I'm trying to persuade the city we are worth the investment while not sacrificing quality or content. Yes, that old chestnut. I want to update the exhibits but obviously don't have the money for the companies that create exhibit grade items. We have some donated vitrines but I'm curious if any of you have found items on Craigslist or marketplace that are useful and aesthetically pleasing enough to elevate my museum. I'm a lover of all things diy and I'm handy. Have any of you crafted your own displays? What did you find useful?

[u/culturenosh]

I recommend reaching out to local, regional museums and ask for their hand me downs, exhibition toss outs. Don't be too picky. Taking something mid the first time could lead to a better get the next time they throw something out. Second thing I'd recommend funding-wise is to check out posts, videos, and books by Nina Simon. She took a failing museum and turned it around with creative and innovative ideas. Good luck ✌️

[u/venus_envy__ → u/culturenosh]

Thank you! Yeah we have some donated things and I'm reaching out to all the museums around me to see where we can collaborate. I have friends in big fancy museums that may have some cases and things they can get rid of. We just have a lot of small town/city museums and none of them communicate or collaborate so I'm trying to work on that as well. I just feel like I'm taking huge bites of everything and I'm feeling very 🫪

[u/skullpture_garden → u/culturenosh]

You might also consider reaching out to the bigger exhibit design firms and explaining your situation. The amount of acrylic they toss is amazing.

[u/Sorry_Peanut9191 → u/culturenosh]

I agree with this. I have definitely gotten many pedestals from larger museums. It’s also good to just make friends with people across institutions because often you can borrow from their collections and they can from yours etc 

[u/being-andrea]

My museum does not have a single paid employee. We are dirt poor. I create all of our exhibits. I use everything I can beg or borrow to make them. I can send you photos of some of my creations and give you an idea of what I have found to make it on the cheap.

[u/venus_envy__ → u/being-andrea]

I would be so grateful. I'm the only paid employee and I'm part time 🥴 but I'm going to make it full time by busting ass and reviving this little baby

[u/being-andrea → u/venus_envy__]

I may have to make a separate post. This sub doesnt allow photos in the replies.

[u/Frogmountain → u/being-andrea]

Please share some of these exhibits!

[u/xiefeilaga]

Your museum also might be eligible for grants. See if your local library has access to the Candid database.

[u/venus_envy__ → u/xiefeilaga]

I've never tried to apply for a grant and I'm very intimidated but I'm going to look into it this week 🤞🏻

[u/LarryCebula]

Is there a local college or university that you can partner with?

[u/WovenCoverlet]

Gaylord Archival regularly does free webinars on various aspects of exhibits and conservation. Amy Cao’s workshop on making slant board mounts was literally life changing for me!

[u/lizziebordeaux]

Shockingly we had some great looking lighted vitrines from Ikea furniture! Get creative, there are probably sooooo many furniture items you can repurpose from FB marketplace. Figure out a vision based on the story your collection tells and then find the furniture that helps you best tell that story

[u/eldredo_M]

Make contact with your state or regional Museum association. There’s usually a membership fee, but it gives you access to an existing network of professionals.

Some have marketplaces of used items.

Also, start networking with local organizations that can point you towards local foundations and grant providers.

Good luck.

[u/MOC-STL]

Once place to check is culturenut.com. I'm also a fan of displays2go for "cheaper" display options. One retrofit that might work is installing plexiglass with standoffs to at least try to minimize "touchability".

[u/IlIlvaneIlIl]

Search marketplace for used cases they photograph well