Behind the Scenes: Redeveloping Exhibitions to Reach New Audiences

At Haynes Motor Museum, we are always evolving. Our team is perpetually in motion, redeveloping permanent displays and creating new temporary exhibitions. From the spark of an initial idea to the installation of the final object, we are always working to enhance the visitor experience.

A Year of Innovation

Last year was a busy year for exhibitions, as we launched a new permanent exhibition British Icons: Driven by Innovation and Transitions, a temporary exhibition looking at the future of motoring. This follows the launch of Williams F1: The Drivers & The Driven the year prior.

The Exhibition Lifecycle

Creating an exhibition is a collaborative process involving a diverse range of experts. From the initial concept designs carried out by an exhibition designer, to the creation of structures by exhibition fit-out contractors. The Collections Team, with the help of our knowledgeable volunteers, carry out all the research before creating interpretations. Interpretations are usually presented as written text panels, or interactives that are embedded within the history and science of the exhibition’s theme. We also research and include videos and sound recordings to add depth and context to exhibitions. We benefit from having an in-house Graphic Designer who creates all our interpretive panels and interactive visuals, which allows for cohesiveness.

Listening to Our Visitors

Through surveying and research, we have identified that our visitors want more interactive experiences and fresh perspectives. We’re also working to interpret our collections in new ways. We find it important to carry out surveying to find out what our current visitors would like to see and what would encourage new visitors. Through surveying and research, we’ve found that our visitors want more interactive experiences and interpretations presented in new ways. So, we’re working to add hands-on interactives, videos and sound throughout the new exhibitions, and we’re changing the way we write interpretations to improve accessibility.

Sensory Experiences and Sound Showers

We are always on the lookout for new and exciting ways of interpreting our collections. As well as thinking about what the exhibition will look like, we also consider what different areas might sound like. Our most recent exhibition redevelopment involves the use of sound showers that provide one-directional sound to visitors who stand underneath them, without the sound spilling out into the rest of the exhibition. This, along with the spatial design of the exhibition, means we can create individual ‘moments’ within the exhibition for our visitors to enjoy.

Interacting With the Exhibitions

While we ask visitors not to touch the vehicles to protect them from natural oils and abrasion, we want to provide alternative ways to interact. We are developing purpose-built, hands-on interactives designed for all ages. Some of these interactives are aimed at children and families, aligning with our aim of making the Museum even more family-friendly through opportunities for play. We’ve also found that adults enjoy interactives as much as children, so we’ve designed our interactives to create valuable experiences for all ages.

Layered Interpretation and Accessibility

Our goal is to open the stories of motoring history and engineering to everyone. We achieve this by including a variety of layered interpretations, removing the stanchion barriers around the vehicles, and adding small objects to our exhibitions, we aim to open the stories of motoring history and engineering to a wider audience whilst still engaging those who want to find out the facts about a specific car or motorcycle. We also work to make sure our exhibitions are as accessible as possible through the addition of subtitles on videos, ensuring pathways are wide enough for wheelchair users and adding seating throughout the Museum.

By rethinking how we present our collection, we are ensuring the Museum remains a welcoming and engaging space for all and look forward to welcoming you for a visit soon!

By Dr Luca Hoare, Curator at Haynes Motor Museum