Best Of ExhibiTricks: Museum Sustainability

While I'm away on vacation, I thought I'd offer a "Best Of ExhibiTricks" series that clusters together a batch of thematically related postings that you may have missed.

This time around the "Best Of" theme is "sustainability." Opening a new museum is tough. But keeping a museum going, and growing, for years and years, is much tougher. So here are postings about the difficult task of truly sustaining a museum:

First up, a post about COSI Toledo. How did one of the true "name brands" of the science center world close their doors completely after ten years of operation?

Next up, a post about the Mark Twain House, and how the institutional reach may have exceeded its grasp after a massive building addition was completed (way over budget.)

Finally, any discussion of the topic of institutional sustainability would be incomplete without mentioning the Millennium Dome in the UK. This post offers a bit of commentary and a link to an excellent PDF treatise on the subject by Dan Howland.

Enjoy!

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Best Of ExhibiTricks: Nuts and Bolts

While I'm away on vacation, I thought I'd offer a "Best Of ExhibiTricks" series that clusters together a batch of thematically related postings that you may have missed.

This time around the "Best Of" revolves around the venerable topic of "nuts and bolts, " that is, the tools and tech that help us create better exhibits. Judging from the response the following articles received, I'd say ExhibiTricks readers really love their tape, glue, and tools!

First up is a collection of sticky links about Tape.

Then a tip of the hat to TAP Plastics for their informative set of "how to" videos on plastics and plastic fabrication.

Next a posting called "Clean Is Good" about some nifty products that help in the never-ending battle against dirt inside our museum buildings and exhibitions.

Last, but not least, a posting called "Cool Tools for Exhibit Folks" that highlights some favorite websites including "This To That" for gluing things together.

Enjoy!

Don't miss out on any ExhibiTricks posts! It's easy to subscribe right now via email (or your favorite news reader) with the tools on the right side of the blog.

Best Of ExhibiTricks: The Interviews

While I'm away on vacation, I thought I'd offer a "Best Of ExhibiTricks" series that clusters together a batch of thematically related postings that you may have missed.

For this "Best Of " I'm highlighting three great interviews (especially since my very recent interview with Kathy McLean garnered such a big response!)

The first is an interview with Tim McNeil that focused on "green design." Tim offered some very interesting responses and lots of great links to resources for eco-friendly exhibition design.

The second is an interview with Harry White from Techniquest, in Wales, that offers some great insights from a "non-North American Perspective" about the Museum Biz.

Last, but not least, is an interview with Nina Simon, who runs the Museum 2.0 blog, and is definitely one of the most creative thinkers about the role of visitors in the creation of exhibitions.

Enjoy!

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What Happened to the "Science" in Science Museums?

Karen Heller wrote an interesting article in the Philadelphia Inquirer recently about "The Franklin" (formerly known as The Franklin Institute, before its "rebranding.")

Let's just say it wasn't pretty. She bemoaned the museum's lack of science in it's glitzy offerings and equated the museum's exhibit areas with a casino.

For the most part, I'd say Ms. Heller's article could have just as easily been describing most of the "big" science centers (like those in Boston, or L.A., for example.) The emphasis seems to be on quick, flashy ways to bring people in and sell them junk from the gift shop(s), and downplaying, almost apologizing for, the science.

Is this what happens when the only bottom line is the "bottom line"? Take the time to read Heller's article (note especially the responses to the poll questions about The Franklin) and let us know what you think in the "Comments Section" below.

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Exhibit Design Inspiration: Toys From Trash

"Toys from Trash" is part of a larger site based in India that details how to construct HUNDREDS of fun little devices out of simple household materials.

Many of the toys have a scientific bent, and range from from a clever "Gyro Disk" made from a spare CD, to a simple DC motor.

Toys from Trash makes a great resource for museum folks, and a perfect idea generator for anyone who wants to have fun making simple science toys.

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Exhibit Design Resource: FindSounds

Given the fact that museums are continuing to develop more and more multimedia exhibits and web-based adjunct experiences, finding digital versions of particular sounds to create these resources is often an issue.

So where do you go if you need, say, the sound of an umbrella opening, or an elephant's roar?

One great resource for your sonic searches is the FindSounds website. It's sort of like Google for people in search of particular digital sound files.

Simply enter a search term, like "umbrella" and FindSounds does the rest. You can additionally set parameters for particular file types, file size and sample rate as well.

FindSounds has found its niche, and fills it well. Give it a whirl (and a listen!)

Have a favorite web-based exhibits tool that you couldn't live without? Let us know your favorites in the "Comments" section below!

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