Carers in Public Horticulture
Career Category:
Visitor Experience
Position Title:
Exhibitions and Displays Coordinator
Position Summary
- Working with diverse staff members, develops and manages special, temporary exhibitions and displays designed to attract varied audiences and enhance the visitor experience
- This position often requires an undergraduate degree and 3-5 years of experience
- Other abilities: excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an eye for design
2006 APGA Salary Range
N/A
Career Profiles for Exhibition and Display Coordinators
Joe Lomicky
Title
Visitor Education Coordinator, Longwood Gardens
Job Responsibilities
- Develop and manage new and existing exhibits
- Implement visitor programs conducted by staff and volunteers
- Create and install interpretive signs and graphics
Educational Experience
- B.A. in Liberal Arts, English Major, Writing Option, Pennsylvania State University
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) course in Conservation Education
- Visitor Studies Association course in Exhibit Design and Evaluation
Practical Experience
- Volunteer Interpreter Manager, Smithsonian National Zoolical Park, Washington, D.C.
- Pipe Organ and Gallery Exhibit, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
- Centennial Celebration Exhibits and Programming, Longwood Gardens, PA
Favorite / Least Favorite Part of the Job
- Favorite: Dealing with visitors. It's wonderful to see their expressions and hear their enthusiasm when they learn something new or become inspired by some amazing fact or unique demonstration or display.
- Least Favorite: Dealing with visitors. You can never quite figure out what they want- but we'll always keep trying!
Other Thoughts / Advice
Assessment is critical in understanding the visitor. Survey them, observe them, and talk to them. This is what makes or breaks an exhibit or program.