Designing and producing an exhibition at a heritage site

• Knowing how to carry out the work of reflection and analysis prior to setting up an exhibition (measuring the opportunity, conditions for realisation, coherence between site/exhibition, etc.).
• Gather together the conditions and follow the various stages to ensure the success of an exhibition
• Identify the players and partners (museums, artists, collectors, etc.) and know how to work with them.

CHOOSING AN EXHIBITION

• What is an exhibition? Why create an exhibition?
• The people involved in the project and its implementation (from the curator to the service providers)
• Choosing the subject and format of the exhibition: renting an exhibition or creating an original, fixed or travelling exhibition
• Designing a permanent, temporary or touring exhibition
• The expectations of the organiser and the public
• The choice of whether or not to match the exhibition to the identity of the historic site (opportunities/risks)
• The exhibition's business model: exhibitions for small and large budgets, specific pricing, etc.
• The budget, funding, the search for subsidies and sponsorship
• Working with the various partners

EXHIBITION DESIGN AND ORGANISATION

• Stages of the project: Idea, project definition, design, production, operation
• Project constraints
• The question of location and the specific features of a historic monument
• Safety, security and conservation conditions (facility report)
• Defining the project, from the idea to the planning, including the choice of works or objects
• From conception to completion
• The administrative framework, public contracts and consultations (thresholds and main rules)
• Organisation and logistics (loan of works, insurance, transport, convoying, installation, etc.)
• Project management tools (retroplanning and operating budget)

SETTING UP AND PROMOTING THE EXHIBITION

• Running the exhibition (target audiences, itinerary, reception, operating and security conditions)
• Management of loans and works
• Introduction to scenography and museography
• Supporting the exhibition (catalogue and related products, publishing, etc.)
• Keys to communicating effectively about the exhibition
• How to bring the exhibition to life: event mediation, cultural programming ideas, cultural mediation activities, workshops, partnerships, etc.

BONUS[online]: Dismantling an exhibition: an example from the Conciergerie

TEACHING METHODS AND TOOLS

• Case studies
• Tool sheets

ASSESSMENT METHODS

• Knowledge multiple-choice questions
• Personalised action plan