From “Then” to “Now”: Evaluation Practice at the Corning Museum of Glass
Until 13 years ago, CMOG’s evaluative efforts relied primarily on summative tools such as visitor surveys and timing and tracking studies conducted after the launch of an exhibition. While useful, these methods offered limited insight into more data based and community-driven decision-making that could inform planning for future exhibitions, a direction the museum was interested in taking. 2013 saw the launch of a new exhibition planning process with evaluative questions built into it from the beginning, providing new ways of measuring change in our visitors. Today, three different types of evaluation are available to exhibition planning teams: front-end (prior to the launch of the interpretation team), formative (occurs mid-planning cycle to test concepts or exhibition elements before launch), and summative (happens after an exhibition’s launch to determine if exhibition target goals were met). As this revised exhibition planning process emerged, so did a cross-departmental team focused on evaluation and metrics across the museum. That team has helped pave a path forward for the museum to embrace more data-driven thinking to make a positive difference in our community and other mission-centered goals. As CMOG turns 75 in 2026, it is poised to take the next steps toward an even more comprehensive and intentional plan for evaluation across the museum.
Your presenter
Troy Smythe, Manager of Interpretation Strategy and Education Projects
In his role at the Corning Museum of Glass Troy helps people find meaning through objects, experiences and story. By leading cross-departmental exhibition planning teams and as chair of the museum’s employee-led Evaluation and Metrics Team, he has worked for over a decade to help CMOG build data-driven insights into exhibition planning and other initiatives. Before moving to western New York to work for The Corning Museum of Glass in 2014, he spent 20 years dedicated to learning in museums, directing outreach, teacher, and docent programs for the Dallas Museum of Art and the Indianapolis Museum of Art (now Newfields). Troy also worked as an independent consultant with a focus on museum interpretation. During that time, he nurtured his interests in mission-directed planning, leadership development, team building, and mentoring by working on projects with leaders in the field of museum education and visitor research.
Where: Virtual Meeting - WebEx Event
When: Wednesday, May 27 at 6:45-8:00 pm - VIRTUAL
· 6:45 - 7:00 pm – Networking
· 7:00 - 8:00 pm – Presentation
Cost: No Charge
Register by: Tuesday, May 26th at 12 noon
RU: 0.1 RU will be granted for attending the Meeting