The following are resources intended to present a larger scope of ideas for the curation and planning of art exhibitions
1. Museum and Gallery Websites
Tate Modern (London): Tate often shares images of their exhibitions and layouts, which can give you excellent examples of both thematic and chronological curation. They sometimes even provide virtual tours. https://www.tate.org.uk
Museum of Modern Art (MoMA, New York): MoMA has a rich online archive with exhibition photos, which can help show different hanging strategies and spatial arrangements. https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions
MAID MoMA Archives Image Database contains a select but growing body of materials digitized from their collections. https://maid.moma.org/index.html
Guggenheim Museum (New York): They share high-quality visuals from their exhibitions, particularly innovative layouts and use of lighting, perfect for discussing storytelling and flow. https://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions
2. Online Exhibition Archives
Google Arts & Culture: This platform offers virtual tours and high-resolution images from museums all over the world. It’s perfect for sharing examples of famous exhibitions, and you can even create your own curated galleries from their collections. https://artsandculture.google.com
The Met's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History: While focused on historical art, The Met’s website provides excellent, high-resolution images of artworks and exhibition spaces. You can find examples of different periods and hanging methods. https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/
3. Online Databases for Curatorial Practices
Artstor: This database is often used in academic settings for accessing high-quality images of artwork and exhibition installations. Many universities provide access to Artstor, so you could ask if your local institution has a login. https://www.artstor.org
4. University and Art School Exhibitions
Many university art departments, such as Yale School of Art or the Royal College of Art, post images from their MFA shows, which are great examples of emerging curatorial trends and student work displayed in professional settings. Yale Art Gallery https://artgallery.yale.edu
Royal College of Art: RCA Exhibitions https://www.rca.ac.uk/
5. Instagram and Pinterest
Instagram: Search for hashtags like #curatorialpractice, #artinstallation, or #exhibitiondesign. Many galleries and curators post behind-the-scenes images, which can offer insights into hanging strategies and space usage.
Pinterest: Search for exhibition design boards or museum exhibit layouts. There are numerous pins dedicated to creative hanging techniques, gallery layouts, and thematic exhibition arrangements.
6. Books and Exhibition Catalogs
Exhibition Catalogs: These often include not only images of the artwork but also detailed descriptions and photos of how they were displayed. Major exhibitions often publish catalogs that are filled with professional installation shots and curatorial essays.
For example, catalogs from the Venice Biennale or Documenta often offer cutting-edge examples of contemporary exhibition design.
Books on Exhibition Design: filled with images and case studies.
"Exhibition Design: An Introduction" by Philip Hughes
"The Object in Its Place - Ted Cohen & the Art of Exhibition Design Hardcover" by Signe S. Mayfield (Author), Linda Craighead JoAnn Edwards Ted Cohen, Gary Hutton, Lori Fogarty (Contributor)
7. Virtual Tours and 360° Views
Many museums and galleries now offer virtual tours.
Louvre Virtual Tour: Explore the Louvre https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours
Smithsonian 3D Exhibits: Smithsonian 3D https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour