One Small StepTransforming the Exhibition Process and the Digital/Physical Connection

Vicki Portway @sluggernova | Sarah Banks @Sbanks20 | Jennifer Levasseur @Mom2Remi

We have...● One unique perspective● A large museum ● Exhibition-driven process● No visitor evaluation program

This presentation focuses onInternal Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation and Our Exhibition Process

Past > Vision

Exhibition experience > Visitor experience

Physical/Onsite focus > Beyond the Walls

Script-driven > Story-driven

Online exhibitions > Connected content, personalization

Digital Experience as Add-on > Integrated Experience

Opportunistic evaluation > Continuous evaluation program

VISION ≠ PROCESS

Most agree on WHY > HOW is evolving

Outside The Spacecraft● Temporary Exhibition● Anniversary ● Short Timeline● Small Budget● Engaged Online Audience

http://airandspace.si.edu/eva

Story FirstAdapted exhibition script to tell those stories in a digital context.Consider audiences onsite or offsite.

Exhibition Script Web/Mobile

Outside the Spacecraft Floating

The Personal Spacecraft Walking

Tools of the Trade Working

Imagining

Engagement Baked InLeveraged knowledge of audience interests, personal connections, and visitor behavior to find engagement opportunities.

● #Spacewalk50 Social (conversations & stories)● Selfie Wall● Art Tumblr (spacewalk50.tumblr.com)● Evening events

@Katrobison

Visitor Experience & Context Avoided digital/physical myth. Focused on visitorexperience across contexts, storytelling, and learning opportunities using technology.

● Parallax website● Glove Helix VR● Access to experts/behind the scenes videos● Signage

What We Gave Up● 1st person astronaut stories ● Social media activities ● Videos displayed inside exhibition● MMUrself app● Visitor evaluation

What worked for us...

T = Transformational Tips

T-8: Put Yourself in Audience’s Shoes

● Share examples of audience conversations

● Informal training sessions

T-7: Find Small Opportunities to Innovate

● Small wins can influence change● Urgency and limitations can spur creativity ● Short-lived & small budget perceived as lower risk● Test & adapt process

T-6: Leverage Existing Process

● Don’t go rogue● Work within existing process to

influence change● Meet others where they are● Work toward adoption into process

T-5: Focus on Experience, not “Digital”

● Include digital experience from the beginning (conceptual planning)● Demonstrate how stories can be told (goals met) using technology● Key conceptual decisions upfront + openness to adapt

T-4: Focus on Stories, Not Script

● Be willing to adapt your stories for context● Not always a duplicate of the script● Consider audiences beyond the walls● Share behind the scenes (what you do is interesting)

T-3: Embrace How Visitors Want to Engage

● Leverage experience goals and content to create engagement

● Consider visitor behavior● Be ready for them to engage

in unexpected ways ● Leave room to adapt and respond

T-2: Kill Some Sacred Cows

● Let go of what’s not working or is too high an investment● Be willing to explore options to achieve same results● Ask yourself: is having it all the best experience for visitors?● You might get another chance someday

T-1: Collaborate & Share Roles/Skills

● Recruit the willing● Ideas from anyone, any time● Able to shift and adapt quickly● Empathize w/skeptics, convince

them through tangible examples

Not pictured: Sarah and lots of other folks

THANK YOU!