About Session

There is a whole industry and income opportunity for artists that hardly anyone thinks about: traveling exhibitions.

80%- 85% of North American museums rely on traveling exhibitions. These are smaller, regional museums who do not have budgets to invest in permanent exhibitions, and some larger museums with permanent collections who add to their offerings with outside shows. These museums pay rental fees, shipping and cover insurance.

I discovered this industry when I was developing my exhibit “FLY GIRLS- The WWII Women Airforce Service Pilots.” My original goal for FLY GIRLS was to exhibit at two local Nashville venues, but I was able to turn it into a traveling exhibition which generated rental income and sales income, as the exhibit has been acquired into 2 permanent collections.

This presentation is a case study of how I developed and marketed my FLY GIRLS exhibition to museums across the country.