Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 223 - Historical Division
Chapter 14 - Exhibitions Policies
Rule 223-14.5 - Education Principles and Practices

(1) All exhibitions shall incorporate the highest standards of scholarship.

(2) Exhibit design shall employ learning theory and shall be designed for the appropriate cognitive and age developmental levels of the audiences.

(3) Exhibits shall minimize enclosed casework and barriers between visitors and the artifacts consistent with artifact security and preservation requirements.

(4) Items shall be displayed within appropriate interpretative frameworks.

(5) Written text shall support the exhibition of original artifacts, specimens, images, and documents, but shall not be the focus of the exhibit. If extensive labeling is required, presentation in a format other than a museum exhibition shall be used.

(6) Exhibition design shall incorporate appropriate current design concepts, fabrication techniques, and technologies. Experimental design shall be used as appropriate.

(7) Interactive components shall be incorporated in all exhibitions and shall not be confined to a single designated area. No interactive components shall violate the integrity, preservation, or security requirements of the artifacts.

(8) Any individual or group from the general public, local groups organized for historical or cultural purpose, or the staff of the society may propose an exhibition. All proposals may be directed to the Bureau Chief, Museum, State Historical Society of Iowa, Capitol Complex, Des Moines, Iowa 50319, (515)281-5111. Final selection of exhibition topics, artifacts, and form of presentation rests with the chief of the museum and the administrator of the society.

(9) Exhibitions shall be developed by teams that include appropriate representatives of the museum, other bureaus of the society, the scholarly community, and the general public.

(10) Whenever possible exhibitions shall be pretested with a representative sample of the intended audience. Exhibition design, fabrication, and installation shall be adjusted appropriately to reflect the results of the testing.

(11) The museum shall maintain an ongoing evaluation program and incorporate the results in future exhibition design.

(12) Exhibitions shall be designed so as to make guided tours unnecessary for understanding the exhibition.

(13) Exhibitions shall create and maintain environments conducive to learning. This includes adequate lighting for comfort and safety; space for group tours and individuals simultaneously; seating and appropriate spaces to relieve visitor fatigue; and clear traffic flow patterns.

(14) Exhibition techniques shall not intentionally misrepresent the facts or the authenticity of the collections.

(15) The exhibitions shall accurately reflect the social and cultural diversity and heritage of the state.

(16) Exhibitions shall consider visitor safety. Design and fabrication shall adhere to all safety and health codes. Potential use and misuse by the public shall be considered.