excellence in exhibition awards
The Annual Excellence in Exhibition Competition recognized outstanding achievement in exhibition from all types of museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens and non-comercial institutions offering exhibitions to the public.
Twenty-NINth Annual Excellence in Exhibitions 2017
Overall Excellence
Prisons Today: Questions in the Age of Mass Incarceration
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site Philadelphia
for in-depth approach to a powerful, provocative and difficult topic, simple design yet artful integration in the historic space, and participatory practice with strong interpretive strength
Special Achievement
Altered State: Marijuana in California
Oakland Museum of California
for civic engagement and respect of audience from multiple viewpoints
Special Achievement
Cave Temples of Dunhuang: Buddhist Art on China’s Silk Road
The Getty Research Institute and The Getty Conservation Institute, Los Angeles
for commitment to comprehensive research and conservation
Special Achievement
The Rama Epic: Hero, Heroine, Ally, Foe
Asian Art Museum, San Francisco
for interpretation
Special Achievement
William Conner House
Conner Prairie Fishers, IN
for reimagining the historic house
Special Achievement
The Wonder Sound
The New Children’s Museum, San Diego
for exemplary innovative practice
Honorable Mention
Cultural Expressions
National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.
for audience research and content development
Honorable Mention
Extraordinary Ideas from Ordinary People
San Diego Natural History Museum
for thoughtful attention to the fragile collection while providing multi-modal learning
Honorable Mention
Girls Writing the World: A Library ReImagined
Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace/ Girl Scouts of the USA, Savannah, GA
for creating a big change in a small package
Honorable Mention
Tamanwit: Unwritten Laws and Beliefts, Wanapum of Priest Rapids
Wanapum Heritage Center, Mattawa, WA
for reclaiming narrative with insightful and personal community authorship