Didactic Museography: An Educational Approach to Exhibitions

Didactic museography is the art of designing and organizing exhibitions with an educational and accessible approach for the public. It focuses on creating visual and spatial narratives, facilitating learning and understanding of the exhibited contents. This approach actively involves visitors, stimulating their curiosity and fostering critical reflection on the presented topics.

When designing a didactic museographic system, we must consider some factors. These may vary depending on the currents and pedagogical theories guiding the working team, although some of the most essential ones are as follows:

• Accessibility: Exhibitions should be accessible to people of all ages and abilities, using inclusive design adapted to their needs.

• Active participation: Visitors' active participation is encouraged instead of being mere passive spectators. This can be achieved through interactive activities, discussion spaces, or practical workshops that involve visitors in the learning process.

• Experiential learning: Didactic museography is based on "learning by doing." Practical and sensory experiences help visitors better understand and remember the information presented in the exhibition.

• Contextualization: Providing historical, cultural, or scientific context is essential to help visitors understand the meaning and relevance of the exhibited objects.

• Coherent narrative: Exhibitions should tell a coherent and meaningful story that guides visitors through the space. This may involve using a linear or thematic narrative that logically and convincingly connects the different elements of the exhibition.

• Diversity and inclusion: The diverse cultural, social, and linguistic perspectives of visitors should be considered when designing exhibitions. Efforts should be made to ensure equitable representation of different groups, communities, or identities.

• Evaluation and continuous improvement: Exhibitions should be regularly evaluated to measure their effectiveness in terms of visitor learning and engagement. Public feedback can help identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments for future exhibitions.

Didactic museography plays a fundamental role in museums' communication and transmission of knowledge. By adopting an educational approach, exhibitions become powerful tools for learning and raising awareness about various topics, from history and art to science and technology.

Furthermore, by making information more accessible and understandable, the democratization of knowledge is promoted, and active participation of the public in culture and society is encouraged, turning museums into reference spaces for the community.

Although this article has already provided some ideas on how to approach an exhibition based on didactic museography, here are some applied examples that some spaces already implement:

• Interactive museum: Spaces where visitors can practically experience the presented concepts, such as the CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona or the Natural History Museum in Madrid.

• Thematic exhibitions: Temporary exhibitions that address a specific theme from different perspectives, using visual and multimedia resources to enrich the public's experience. A good example would be a temporary and/or itinerant exhibition about a specific author.

• Virtual tours: Online platforms offer virtual museums and exhibitions tours, allowing remote access to knowledge. The Prado Museum or the Louvre already provide their own virtual tours that bring their contents closer to people worldwide.

Didactic museography is a powerful tool for education and knowledge dissemination in the museum field. Combining the art of exhibition with pedagogical principles creates an enriching environment that invites the public to explore, learn, and reflect on the world around them.

In a context where access to information is paramount, didactic museography plays a fundamental role in building a more informed, critical, and participatory society.

Alonso Fernández, L. (2000). Manual de Museología. Síntesis.
Borrás Gené, J. (2007). Museografía Didáctica: Teoría y Práctica. Editorial UOC.
International Council of Museums (ICOM). (s.f.). https://icom.museum/