This is the research and discovery phase of the exhibition process (though you will undoubtedly make new discoveries later on in the process, too). You’ve probably already done some exploring. In this phase, you will consider what objects to include in your exhibition.

Here are some questions to consider as you look over potential exhibition material. Use the questions to generate your exhibition checklist:

  1. How does the object relate to the big idea?
  2. What does the object tell us?
  3. How will the object fit into the exhibition? How will it look with the other material in the exhibition?
  4. Is the object valuable, fragile, or copyright protected?
Sample Checklist

Sample Checklist from
Art Treasures/Curricular Resources: People, Places, Things
Perlman Teaching Museum
Carleton College