Honouring the Dead
December 9, 2025
Interpretive Signage and Creating an Exhibition
Webinar Date: 23 September 2025
Interpretive Signage – Curatorial consultant specializing in the development of ethical narratives at sites of enslavement, Laura Kilcer VanHuss shares approaches to designing on-site signage that communicates effectively with diverse audiences.
The Nuts and Bolts of Exhibitions – Adam Foreman, Executive Director of Shadows-on-the-Teche shares insight into the practical steps of curation: from building cases and sourcing materials, to mounting objects.
Co-Creation at George Washington’s Mount Vernon with Jill Rotschild, Associate Curator in the Fine and Decorative Arts – insights into collaborative exhibition development with staff and descendant communities.
Useful resources
The Interpretation of Slavery at Museums and Historic Sites
James Madison's Montpelier provides a methodology for openly addressing the central role slavery played in the development of the United States, as well as its lasting impact on American society today. (PDF 325KB)
Writing Gallery Text at the V&A: A Ten Point Guide
A guide from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London on write gallery text that is captivating and comprehensible for a wide audience. (PDF 1.8 MB)
The Smithsonian Guide to Interpretive Writing for Exhibitions
Exhibition writers, editors, and developers from across the Smithsonian share their knowledge, experience, tips, tricks, and philosophies in crafting engaging, accessible, visitor centred exhibition text. (PDF 13.1 MB)
Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design
The Smithsonian presents guidelines and design tools that synthesize accessibility solutions into the development processes of exhibitions (PDF 1.2 MB)
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