Frequently Asked Questions

Exhibits USA exhibitions are designed for a wide range of venues, including museums, university galleries, libraries, cultural centers, historical societies, and other nonprofit or civic spaces. Exhibitions are developed to work in institutions of many sizes, from small community venues to larger regional museums. 

Security, facility, and technical requirements are listed on each exhibition’s webpage.

Booking an exhibition is simple:

• Browse available exhibitions on our website.
• Contact Exhibits USA staff at MoreArt@maaa.org to confirm availability and request information.
• Place a temporary hold on your preferred tour dates.
• Submit a facility report for review.
• Sign a contract to confirm your booking.

Exhibitions are scheduled based on availability and the venue’s ability to meet security and facility requirements.

Venues are encouraged to book well in advance to secure preferred exhibitions and dates. Early booking helps ensure the exhibition fits within a venue’s exhibition schedule and tour routing.

Yes. Many Exhibits USA exhibitions are designed to work in libraries, community centers, and other public spaces, not just traditional museum galleries. Exhibition pages include space, security, and technical requirements to help venues determine suitability.

Space requirements vary by exhibition. Each exhibition page lists recommended gallery size, layout considerations, and technical specifications to help venues determine if the exhibition will fit their space.

Most exhibitions are scheduled for 7, 14, or 21 weeks, though the exact loan period depends on the exhibition and tour schedule. Venues work with Exhibits USA staff to determine the best timing based on availability and exhibition travel routes.

Yes. Exhibits USA exhibitions are designed to be ready-to-install and travel in professional crates with detailed installation instructions. Venues receive guidance for installation, handling, and packing to help staff install exhibitions efficiently and safely.

No. Exhibits USA exhibitions are designed so that venues without dedicated curatorial staff can successfully host them. Each exhibition includes interpretive materials, installation guidance, and programming ideas to support venue staff throughout the exhibition period. When venues do have a curatorial staff, they often expand on the exhibition’s theme by adding content from their own collections or incorporating local stories and community perspectives.

Exhibits USA provides comprehensive support to help venues successfully host exhibitions and engage their communities, including:

• Installation and deinstallation instructions
• Shipping and logistics guidance
• Condition reporting support
• Exhibition planning assistance
• Insurance coverage during transit and display
• Marketing and press materials
• Programming and community engagement resources

Our team works closely with venues to ensure exhibitions are easy to install and successful in their communities. 

Yes. Every exhibition includes a range of educational and interpretive materials designed to engage audiences of all ages. Educational materials usually consisting of, but not limited to, books for all ages related to the exhibition’s content and themes travel inside the exhibition crates. These can be used for docent or staff studying and can also be placed in the gallery itself for visitors to peruse while exploring the exhibition. 

Programming guides may include gallery activities, family guides, sample curricula for K-12 audiences,  docent resources, an annotated bibliography, vetted speaker suggestions, and public programming ideas for lectures, workshops, and community events.

Costs vary depending on the exhibition and tour schedule. Venues typically pay a rental fee plus the cost of shipping the exhibition to the next venue. Depending on their own capacities, some venues may also incur costs related to exhibition installation or gallery preparation. Exhibits USA works to keep exhibitions affordable through partnerships with foundations, government agencies, and arts organizations. View each exhibition’s website page to see its in-region and out-of-region rental fee. 

Costs vary depending on the exhibition and tour schedule. Venues typically pay a rental fee plus the cost of shipping the exhibition to the next venue. Depending on their own capacities, some venues may also incur costs related to exhibition installation or gallery preparation. Exhibits USA works to keep exhibitions affordable through partnerships with foundations, government agencies, and arts organizations. View each exhibition’s website page to see its in-region and out-of-region rental fee.

Yes. We work with large and small museums, university galleries, private collectors, independent curators, and artists throughout the world to create exhibitions that are relevant to the needs and interests of our constituents.

We accept proposals on a rolling basis for art exhibitions of existing work that can tour nationally. We are particularly interested in small- to mid-sized exhibitions (approximately 2,000 square feet or 250 linear feet and under) with low security and limited environmental requirements that can travel via common carrier or van line (although other proposals will be considered).

See our Artists & Curators page for more details on that process.

Yes. Organizations can partner with Exhibits USA to develop custom traveling exhibitions. Services may include curatorial development, exhibition design, fabrication, crating, logistics, and national touring coordination.

See our Custom Exhibitions and Touring Services page for more details on that process.