Library Exhibits

Labels should be as succinct as possible

• Exhibition title (1-7 words):   to attract attention and inform attendees about a theme.
• Introductory labels (20-300 words): introduces the big idea and orient visitors to the space.
• Group labels (20-150 words):  interprets a sub-group of objects and/or documents and introduces a sub-theme.
• Caption labels (20-150 words):  interprets objects/documents, models, phenomena.

From Beverly Serell's  Exhibit Labels: An Interpretive Approach Second Edition (2015)

The Getty Museum has identified the typical audience member as follows:

• Is curious and motivated to learn
• Spends less than 30 seconds looking at an object
• Is unfamiliar with art terminology
• Expects a quick pay off (‘art should grab me’)
• Senses that their knowledge is limited and limiting to their enjoyment
• Lacks confidence in their ability to make sense of what they see
• Makes emotional and personal associations with the object first
• Wants to connect with the people associated with the object

From the Victoria and Albert Museum's Gallery text at the V&A:  a ten point guide (2013)