All participating museums reported measurable improvements. For some, this was their first experience hosting a traveling exhibition and, as such, they learned many lessons related to exhibition design (and everything from object care to condition reporting). For museums which had never hosted ancillary educational activities or recruited volunteers, this was their introduction. More practiced museums improved their marketing strategies, ability to collect companion objects responsibly, and their interpretive skills.

Each participant reported that the experience of joining theory with practice has created institutional legacies. While some advancements may seem elementary (e.g. one museum established mailing lists and visitor records), others are quite extensive (e.g. one institution implemented a new lighting design for their entire gallery space).

As one museum director said, There's simply no better way to learn. It's self-evident, but when training is coupled with direct application, lessons become more than shelved resource material; they become new and better ways of running a museum.

For More Information

We're pleased to share the design and results of No Better Way to Learn with other states and museum professionals. To get additional project information, including a copy of the project's Final Report, visit the web site of the Utah Office of Museum Services at museums.utah.gov

Participants

Project Director: Brian C. Crockett

Participating Museums:

Consultants:

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