Museums vary widely in size, style, and subject matter, creating a wide range of display needs. Museums prefer a quality product that is also aesthetically pleasing and does not draw attention away from the object(s) being displayed. The products should be easy to use, have clean lines and fit in with the museums design.
Display cases are a major part of most museums. They can range from an acrylic case with PS-30 or “museum quality” joints to full size museum showcases with “museum grade glass”. Major museums and design firms look to 10-31 Inc. for custom glass display cases and solutions for their complex display solutions.
10-31 Inc. also offers the same quality custom designed museum cases in a quick ship system. These cases are predesigned and ready to fabricate with your custom color and fabric choices. This speeds up delivery of museum quality cases to as little as 10 weeks. They are now available at ArtDisplay.com and come in three basic models; the Table Display Case, the Pedestal Display Case, and the Freestanding Display Case.
Stuttgart Table Display Case with gas struts.
Stuttgart Pedestal Display Case.
Patton Museum Fort Knox:
Another important service to museums are exhibit and display designers. These companies design the displays as well as whole museum spaces to bring to life the art, artifacts and information for the visitor. Usually they will also manage the installation and see the product to completion. Many of these designers will hire and oversee subcontractors who have a specific area of expertise. Some of these subcontractors fabricate displays or recreations of scenes or animals such as dinosaurs or landscapes. Others are mount makers who design and fabricate mounts to hold and display artifacts. 10-31.com has designed and installed many custom museum mounts and displays for major museums and institutions.
Display mounts and pedestals may sometimes be made “in house” by the museum staff. To save staff time and resources they can also purchase many stock items from ArtDisplay.com.
Wall space, an important area for museums, is where many valuable pieces of art are displayed. This is why museum hanging systems are very important. One system they use is a “track system”. This system allows them to display artwork and move the pieces around without constantly repairing the walls. Other systems are stationary and may include security hangers. ArtDisplay.com has been supplying these systems to museums for many years. Wall mounting options for odd shaped artwork or special pieces can be custom made. 10-31.com has been making custom wall mounts and displays for over 25 years.
Information is another important part of the museum experience so free standing signs and wall signs are widely used. Wall hung label holders are commonly used next to artwork to identify the artist and describe the artwork. Freestanding display case label holders as well as shelf edge label holders are used by artwork in a case or on a tabletop surface. Other freestanding signage can guide a patron through a museum or identify artworks in the center of a room.
Interactive display panels or screens are used to inform or educate and can contain more information than will fit on a typical sign. Digital signage is another option used for more of a general purpose where the information needs to change. Audio and video, another major resource a museum will use to convey information on an exhibit, can have a dramatic effect on the patron’s experience.
Both MuseumRails and MuseumSigns offer a wide variety of solutions for displaying information to visitors and guests. From the simple and sleek options available through MuseumSigns to the customizable flexibility of MuseumRails’ modular system, there is something for any type of information display need.
Museum display barriers are used to create a boundary around an exhibit or artwork to keep patrons from touching or getting too close to the object on display. Barriers are also used to designate queue lines and control and direct traffic. A number of barriers are available for these purposes. A common barrier is the retractable belt barrier, frequently found in airports and banks. Another option is the draped rope barrier. These barriers have a very thick rope that droops in between posts. This type is frequently found in a theater. These would most likely be better used in a museum as opposed to the belt type. However, usually a museum will prefer a more refined look than either of these two options. Which leads to a third thin cord type barrier option. These barriers have a more clean and refined look than the others. The cord is less noticeable in front of the artwork and is less of a distraction. The cord is less of a trip hazard because it is elastic so it gives when bumped into. These are available in a low 16” high version to keep the cord out of the way of the artwork or the standard 36” versions. 10-31 Inc. has a retractable version of this barrier. Their “Q-Cord” has two retractable cords. The bottom cord is about 20” high and the top one is about 39” high. This meets the new ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements.
Museum barriers should adhere to ADA standards. The belt or cord on a typical barrier is too high. According to the ADA, the cord or belt must be cane detectable and located within 27 inches off of the finished floor or ground. Contact ArtDisplay.com to update your barriers to meet the new ADA standards.
Display Products available at ArtDisplay.com
Sword Display options:
How to display a hand gun with a display armature:
Helmet and Hat display options:
Gaylord:
University Products:
Q-Cord Museum Barriers at the Whitney Museum: