Bridging gaps between intentions and realities: a review of participatory exhibition development in museums

Abstract

During the past decade, museum professionals have increasingly involved external participants in exhibition development. In this paper, we review empirical studies of this popular approach to participatory exhibition development practice, with regard to methods, degrees of participation, rationales, obstacles and facilitating factors. These influences include cultural differences between external participants and museum professionals; level and form of museum control; participant characteristics and motivations; and management of disagreements. Based on our findings, we formulate implications for practice, policy and research, which are also relevant across a wide spectrum of professions that apply participatory design, e.g. city planning, health promotion, landscape architecture and product development.