Open Forum

Exhibition's call for "Present Tense," closes on June 3.

As exhibition professionals, we often prefer to tell complete stories, ones where the outcome or takeaway is crystal clear to us and to our audiences. It is important for us to remember, however, that no one can know everything and that sitting with uncertainty, doubt, and not knowing can be infinitely more enlightening than finding an easy but ultimately wrong answer. This is especially true as we confront all manner of social movements, scientific and technological developments, and political shifts in the present moment. The endings to these stories have yet to be written, so there are no answers—at least not right now.

To remain relevant to their communities, museums have an obligation to engage with contemporary topics and events in their exhibitions, and to do so in ways that have the potential to broaden conversations. So, how can we get comfortable with stories that have no ending? How do we sit with uncertainty and not knowing, while striving for nuance, accuracy, and possibility?

Read about the theme of exhibiting in the present tense and how to submit a proposal at:
Call for Papers for Exhibition journal

Exhibition is the journal of exhibition theory and practice for museum professionals published by the American Alliance of Museums. Now published on the Alliance's website, your article could reach 70,000 dedicated museum professionals.