Excellence in Exhibition Label Writing Competition

The annual label writing competition is moving into its second decade. Created by Brian Peterson in 2002 and revived and led by John Russick and Emily Nordstrom since 2008, the competition has recognized outstanding and innovative label writing in museums, zoos, aquariums, universities and libraries. 

The Curators Committee (CurCom) sponsors this competition in cooperation with EdCom and NAME. A panel of label experts, selected by the committees and the competition organizers, determines the work to recognize.

Each year, the competition inspires a gathering of writers and editors to discuss technique, style, and process at the Alliance annual meeting’s Marketplace of Ideas. It has also generated an archive for current and aspiring museum professionals to use as they strive to write and edit exhibition label copy.

New for 2013

For 2013, returning jurors Jeanine Head Miller, representing CurCom and Eugene Dillenburg, representing NAME will be joined by Jenny-Sayre Ramberg, representing EdCom and Shasta Bray, representing the 2012 awardees.

John Russick, director of curatorial affairs at the Chicago History Museum, will organize and manage the competition with Andrea Michelbach, graduate student in Museology at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Submission guidelines and instructions are available on the CurCom website. The 2013 entry deadline is Dec. 21.