From the Seat of Authority: A Case Study in Exhibition Development

Abstract

FROM THE SEAT O F AUTHORITY: A CASE STUDY IN EXHIBITION DEVELOPMENT by Chasity Janet Miller, M.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006. Major Director: Dr. Margaret Lindauer, Museum Studies Coordinator, Department of Art History During the Spring 2006 semester, Virginia Commonwealth University students enrolled in the graduate Museun~ Studies course on exhibition development collaboratively curated an exhibition entitled From the Seat ofAuthority, which opened at the Anderson Gallery in June 2006. This thesis project documents the exhibition and offers an account of the deliberative and creative development process in which studentcurators engaged. It is different from other case studies that focus on the technical aspects of curating an exhibition. Major components of the development process include articulating a theme, selecting artworks, writing interpretive text, and designing display techniques. This thesis project aims to characterize the development of these components in relationship to the overall creative processes. It is important to note that the previously mentioned four components were not developed independently of one another, as the exhibit development process was non-linear and organic.