Open Forum

At York Art Gallery (UK), we developed discreet friendly signage for objects on open display to indicate whether visitors could touch them or not. One was "Hands On" with a hand symbol in the O. The other was "Just Look" with a pair of eyes in the oo. They are aimed at all our visitors as a friendlier way of saying Don't Touch and indicating what they can touch.

Hope this is of interest.

Best wishes Helen.

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Helen Walsh
Curator of Ceramics, Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA)
York Art Gallery, UK

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2016 01:35 PM
From: Judy Costello
Subject: Labels to identify hands-on exhibits

I am wondering what type of signage other 'adult' museums use to identify exhibits tailored specifically for children and hands-on use.

I think a small label with an open hand might get the message across to even non-readers, but I would like to hear what works for others.

Thank you.

 

Judy Costello
Education Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

 

We've used various hand symbols, as well as a different color scheme for labels for hands-on things. Both seem to work, although we haven't done any specific evaluation to determine which is better (or if a combination of the two). I do think it's important that there is something that does (in words) spell out that they can touch. Parents may not be paying close attention to the labels until their child touches something. 

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Kaia Landon
Executive Director
Box Elder Museum of Art, History, and Nature
Brigham City UT

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2016 01:35 PM
From: Judy Costello
Subject: Labels to identify hands-on exhibits

I am wondering what type of signage other 'adult' museums use to identify exhibits tailored specifically for children and hands-on use.

I think a small label with an open hand might get the message across to even non-readers, but I would like to hear what works for others.

Thank you.

 

Judy Costello
Education Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

 

Hello Judy,

We are a small historic house and have limited resources for exhibits. But, I do use objects that are an interactive element of any exhibit I create. Usually I group the objects together and have a sign saying 'Please Touch.' Those words seem to hit the right spot with visitors and especially children. Hope that helps.

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Tania Batley
Curator
Lefferts Historic House
Brooklyn, New York

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2016 01:35 PM
From: Judy Costello
Subject: Labels to identify hands-on exhibits

I am wondering what type of signage other 'adult' museums use to identify exhibits tailored specifically for children and hands-on use.

I think a small label with an open hand might get the message across to even non-readers, but I would like to hear what works for others.

Thank you.

 

Judy Costello
Education Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History

 

Thanks for the time you spent to share with both the open and private messages.  These have been helpful, because they reinforce what I was thinking and help us make sure we are in line with other museums (which I think is helpful for visitors).

------------------------------
Judy Costello
Education Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
Springdale AR

Original Message:
Sent: 09-01-2016 01:35 PM
From: Judy Costello
Subject: Labels to identify hands-on exhibits

I am wondering what type of signage other 'adult' museums use to identify exhibits tailored specifically for children and hands-on use.

I think a small label with an open hand might get the message across to even non-readers, but I would like to hear what works for others.

Thank you.

 

Judy Costello
Education Manager
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History