Excellence in Exhibition Label Writing Competition
Excellent exhibition labels are clear, concise, and captivating. This combination is not easily achieved, and the writers and editors who craft the best label copy often go unrecognized. This competition is designed to showcase examples of great label writing, identify innovative approaches, highlight best practices and help us learn from one another. It is sponsored by CurCom in cooperation with EdCom and NAME.
Competition Guidelines
Submission deadline: Friday, Dec. 9
Submission requirements (pdf)
Eligibility requirements:
- All exhibition label writers and editors are eligible to compete, including freelancers. Submissions must have been (a) on display in a museum gallery and (b) included in an exhibition that opened in the 18 months prior to this year’s submission deadline.
- Submitted materials must reflect the final label text, no exceptions. Text used for prototyping or posted solely online is ineligible. Entries are limited to three per exhibition, so please consult with your collaborators before submitting.Entries must contain all of the components listed in the submission guidelines. After submitting an entry, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not hear from us within a week, please follow up with a telephone call.
Email Submissions (preferred): include “AAM label competition” and the name of your organization in the subject of your email. Send submissions to nordstrom@chicagohistory.org.
Mail Submissions: send all components on a CD. All files should be easy to read when printed on 8.5" x 11" paper. Mail entries to: Chicago History Museum, Attn: Emily Nordstrom, 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614
A panel of four label experts, representing CurCom, EdCom, NAME and the previous year’s awardees, will determine which labels are recognized.
Winning entries will be on display in the Marketplace of Ideas at the 2012 AAM Annual Meeting and featured on the CurCom website. If attending the annual meeting, awardees are encouraged to join us at the Marketplace of Ideas to discuss their labels with conference attendees.
Please note: By entering, you are giving the competition organizers permission to publish your written work and photographs in material related to the competition, both online and in print.
Questions? Please contact John Russick (312.799.2172, russick@chicagohistory.org) or Emily Nordstrom (312.799.2144, nordstrom@chicagohistory.org)
