Gallery ID

Function
Serves as an advance organizer, establishing place, time, or subject.

Application
An identification is mandatory for every gallery.

Visitor Profile
Age 12 and up (all who understand historical periods)

Social Unit
All (solo, dyad, family, peer groups, school groups); easily read by large groups

Gallery or Section Panel

Function
Articulates an organizing idea for a group of objects in a particular gallery and provides a context in which to consider the works of art. The text should invite critical thinking. For example, panels in chronology-based galleries could present one or two major issues of the period. In galleries organized by medium, the text might explain the mechanics and challenges of the technology. References to familiar historical events or personalities are helpful.

Application
Panels are recommended whenever the majority of works in a gallery suggest common issues or topics. The text should not exceed 150 words, or 100 words if a gallery contains two panels. The panels may include relevant photos, diagrams, or maps.

Visitor Profile
Age 12 and up (all who understand historical periods and can discuss social issues)

Social Unit
All (easily read by small groups)

Object ID Label

Function
Identifies the object in a concise, standard form.
    Maker and maker’s dates
    Country/culture
    Title or object type and date if known
    Purchase fund and accession number

Application
An object ID label is mandatory for every object on view. No object will be installed until a label has been produced for it.

Visitor Profile
All visitors

Social Unit
One or two people; can be read at close range, silently or aloud to others

Extended Object Label

Function
Discusses the most compelling features of a work of art or answers the visitor’s most pressing questions.

Application
An extended object label consists of the five-line identifier plus two or three paragraphs. A ratio of one extended object label to every four or six objects in a gallery is recommended. Each extended label should be about 100 to 150 words, broken into paragraphs of approximately 50 words.

Visitor Profile
All visitors

Social Unit
One or two people; can be read at close range, silently or aloud to others

Map, Timeline

Function
Helps visitors place the art in a temporal or geographic context. Visitors need maps and timelines for all cultures, inkling Euro-American.

Application
Maps should include all sites referred to on labels and panels. For orientation, an inset map can relate a region to contemporary boundaries. Modern towns may be included for the same purpose.

Visitor Profile
Age 12 and up

Social Unit
Individuals, small groups, and large tour groups

Small Photo, Map, Diagram

Function
Provides context for one object or a small group of objects.

Application
Photos, maps, and diagrams must be contiguous to the objects they interpret. Their captions should be limited to 30 words.

Visitor Profile
Age 12 and up

Social Unit
Individuals and small groups

Supplementary Readings I (SRIs)

Function
Complement other formats available in the galleries. Through brief discussions of selected works of art with a common theme (subject, purpose, type, class, significance), SRIs guide the visitor through many areas of the museum. SRIs provide a limited program achievable in a short visit. They can survey subjects (mythology, religion, medium) that embrace objects far removed from one another in time and culture, or they can focus on specific collections (Chinese jades, European porcelain, American silver). Readings may include questions that adults can ask children, provide answers to those questions, and promote critical thinking.

Application
SRIs take the form of brochures, which are distributed from holders in galleries and at the Information Desk. Each section of text should be limited to about 150 words.

Visitor Profile
All visitors

Social Unit
Individuals and small groups

Supplementary Readings II (SRIIs)

Function
Provide in-depth information not otherwise available in the galleries.

Application
SRIIs can take the form of brochures, laminated cards, portable paddles, and selected books available in reading areas. Because they contain illustrations or diagrams accompanying the text, they are an appropriate way to include related works of art or explain techniques or specialized materials.

Visitor Profile
Adult visitors with some art knowledge


Social Unit
Individuals and small groups