Yes, it’s very different than other types of writing!

Creating a friendly, approachable museum curatorial voice involves using language that resonates with visitors' everyday experiences and interests.

?? What defines the Curatorial voice?

? Friendly ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ? Playful

? Informative???????????????????????????????????????????? ? Engaging

? Approachable?????????????????????????????????????? ? Excited

? Accessible????????????????????????????????????????????? ? Personable

? Educational??????????????????????????????????????????? ? Welcoming

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?? What can make your writing stand out:

What to do:

o?? Approach content as fans and with fandom in mind, whether it’s pop culture or fine art

o?? Create content that is academic and factual but still approachable

o?? Invite visitors to be insiders

o?? Create content that reflects the personality of the museum and the passion of the staff

o?? Balance “Easter eggs” for fans with content that is approachable for all visitors

o?? Create content that is easily accessible and includes the depth, breadth, and nuance of our scholarship in few words

o?? Use lyrical turns of phrase

o?? Create exhibitions that are like getting a personal tour from the Curator

We not to do:

o?? Use hyperbolic language which exaggerates or overstates

o?? Create content that excludes any group

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What are the main types of text created for exhibitions?

Primary text panels

o?? Introduction and context: Primary text panels provide an overview of the exhibit, setting the stage for what visitors will see and learn. They often include background information and the main themes of the exhibit.

o?? Engaging and accessible: These panels use clear, simple language to ensure accessibility for all visitors. They aim to engage a broad audience, sparking interest and curiosity.

o?? Highlight key information: They summarize the most important facts and narratives, giving visitors a coherent understanding of the exhibit's significance and relevance.

o?? Visual and textual balance: Primary text panels are designed to be visually appealing, often incorporating images, bold headings, call-out text, sentences, or quotes, and concise text to enhance readability and maintain visitor interest.

o?? Word count: According to studies on museum exhibition design and visitor engagement, the ideal word count for a primary text panel is typically between 150 to 200 words. This word count strikes a balance between providing sufficient information and maintaining visitor attention and readability.

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Key points:

o??Readability and engagement: Text panels with 150-200 words are more likely to be read in their entirety, as visitors can quickly absorb the key messages without feeling overwhelmed. Using devices such as bolding words, sentences, quotes, or phrases can also assist in visitor’s retention of key information.

o??Attention span: Research indicates that museum visitors spend only a few seconds to a couple of minutes reading text panels, making brevity crucial.

o??Clear communication: Concise text ensures that the main points are communicated effectively, enhancing the overall visitor experience.

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Secondary text panels

o?? Additional context: For secondary text panels in museum exhibitions, studies suggest the ideal word count is typically between 50 to 100 words. This ensures the information is concise and easily digestible for visitors.

Key points:

o??Supplemental information: Secondary text panels provide additional details, context, or stories that support the main themes introduced by primary text panels.

o??Brevity and focus: Keeping the word count to 50-100 words ensures that the text remains focused and avoids overwhelming visitors with too much information.

o??Enhancing engagement: Shorter text encourages visitors to explore more of the exhibit, making it easier for them to move from one panel to the next while retaining key points.

o??Clarity and impact: Concise text helps maintain clarity and ensures that the additional information enhances the visitor's understanding and appreciation of the exhibit.

o??Focused content: These panels typically focus on specific objects, artworks, or aspects of the exhibit, offering deeper insights and highlighting interesting facts.

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Didactic text panels

o?? Basic object information: Didactic or tombstone text panels provide essential details about an object or artwork, including its title, creator, date, medium, and origin.

o?? Standardized format: These panels follow a consistent format to ensure uniformity and ease of reading, often placed directly next to or below the object.

o?? Concise and specific: The text is brief, typically limited to just a few lines, conveying the most critical information without additional commentary or context.

o?? Reference tool: Tombstone text panels serve as a quick reference for visitors, allowing them to identify and understand the basic facts about each exhibit item at a glance.

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Examples of basic didactic information

o??Lightsaber, Star Wars, Episode IV - A New Hope, 1977. Metal, Plastic, Electronics.

o??Superman #1, created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, 1939. Ink on Paper.

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Examples of extended didactic

o??DeLorean Time Machine, designed by Rick Carter (b. 1959),1985. Stainless Steel, fiberglass, electronics.

This iconic car, modified to become a time machine, is featured in the Back to the Future film trilogy. It represents a blend of 1980s design and futuristic imagination.

o?? Leather Jacket from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” designed by Marc Laurent (b. unknown), 1983. Leather, metal.

Worn by Michael Jackson in the groundbreaking "Thriller" music video, this ?????? jacket became a symbol of 1980s pop culture and fashion, influencing styles for decades.

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Some Tips for Creating Exhibition Content

Know your audience

o?? Diverse visitors: Visitors include fans of various ages, from casual observers to die-hard enthusiasts. Remember that your audience also includes people of all backgrounds and education levels.

o?? Fan language: Be aware of the lingo and references that different fan communities use. Visitors come with varying levels of interest and knowledge about the exhibits.

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Use relatable language

o?? Avoid jargon: Replace technical terms with everyday language. If technical terms are necessary, provide a brief explanation. Use familiar language that echoes everyday conversation.

o?? Catchy phrases: Use catchy, memorable phrases that align with pop culture.

o?? Concise Sentences: Keep sentences short and to the point. Aim for clarity over complexity.

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Be conversational and fun

o?? First-person and second-person: Use "we" and "you" to make the text more engaging.

o?? Interactive questions: Engage visitors with rhetorical questions and prompts. For example, "Can you spot your favorite superhero?"

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Show enthusiasm and passion

o?? Express excitement: Show your passion for the subject matter. Enthusiasm is infectious and makes the content more engaging. Use exclamations sparingly but effectively.

o?? Highlight fun facts: Include interesting tidbits, trivia, anecdotes, and behind-the-scenes stories to capture interest.

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Be inclusive and welcoming

o?? Cultural sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences and respect all visitors.

o?? Encourage participation: Invite visitors to share their own favorites and experiences.

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Use stories and narratives

o?? Tell stories: Frame information within a narrative. For example, "Imagine stepping into the world of Trantor..."

o?? Character focus: Highlight stories about creators, characters, historical moments, everyday individuals, and iconic moments.

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Make connections

o?? Relate to modern times: Draw parallels between the exhibit and contemporary life or current trends.

o?? Connect with other exhibits: Suggest how this exhibit ties into other parts of the museum or wider cultural phenomena.

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Use visual aids

o?? Images and captions: Incorporate images, iconography, infographics, media, and more with friendly, descriptive, informative captions.

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Review and edit

o?? Read aloud: Read your text aloud to ensure it sounds natural and engaging.

o?? Seek feedback: Get feedback from colleagues or visitors, especially those who are pop culture fans to refine your tone.

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Iterate

o?? Writing in a friendly, approachable voice is a skill that improves with practice. Keep refining your approach based on feedback and your observations.

Example Texts

1. ?Before: This exhibit showcases the evolution of comic book heroes from the 1940s to the present day.

After: Step into the world of comic book heroes. From the Golden Age to today's blockbusters, can you spot your favorite character?

3. Before: This exhibit focuses on K-Pop, showing a variety of musical groups and their?importance.

After: ?? (hwanyeong) welcome to the K-Pop exhibit. This exhibit is all about celebrating the vibrant world of K-Pop, highlighting a diverse range of musical groups and the profound impact they have had n music worldwide.

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