Are We There Yet?: Conversations about Best Practices in Science Museum Exhibits (Exploratorium Museum Professional Series)

What goes into planning a successful exhibition, and how do we know one when we see it? This book gathers the thinking of leading exhibition professionals in a point-counterpoint format that grew out of an invitational conference at the Exploratorium. Featured are descriptions of "Twelve Noteworthy Science Exhibitions," including budgets and timelines, project goals, participants, and narratives of the exhibition development process. A DVD augments these descriptions with color images and several video walkthroughs. The concluding section, "In the Vernacular," suggests strategies for keeping creativity alive while learning from past practice, using three novel formats―a "Creativity Killers" poster to hang by your desk, a "Muzine" full of irreverent ideas, and tear-out "Weed Seeds" cards with tips for encouraging innovation. Sponsored by the Exploratorium.

Kathleen McLean is a museum consultant, former director of the Center for Public Exhibition and Public Programs at the Exploratorium, and author of the ASTC bestseller Planning for People in Museum Exhibitions. Catherine McEver is an artist and writer who has documented planning meetings for foundations, museums, and science centers nationwide.