Light for Life® Virtual Symposium: Museum & Lighting

symposium overview: why are museums important, and what does the IES Museum Lighting Committee do?

How can we improve the experiences of visitors in museums? This presentation will introduce the IPOP (Idea, People, Object, Physical) Experience Preference Theory and discuss its application in exhibition design and visitor engagement. Special attention will be given to its usefulness in facilitating outstanding visitor experiences and to the important role played by lighting in affecting the physical component of the model.

The Preservation of Light-Sensitive Materials section of ANSI/IES RP-30-20 Recommended Practice: Lighting Museums lists the four primary factors that determine the rate of photochemical damage.

1. Susceptibility of a material to optical radiation
2. Intensity of radiation at the surface of the material
3. Duration of exposure
4. Spectral power distribution of the light source

This presentation will summarize the evolution of our understanding regarding light-induced damage and our ability to control these four factors. The challenge is to find a balance between the implementation of rigid lighting standards and the importance of providing quality illumination that will enhance the museum visitor’s viewing experience.

The collections management framework for museums sets out policies for accessing and caring for collections. Included in this are the expected and desired lifespans for light-sensitive collections, and procedures for their display and loans. How does this work in practice, particularly for challenging spaces and historic buildings where daylight is the primary form of lighting? For the long-term display of collections, light budgets and cumulative lux measurements are useful for monitoring performance and prioritizing improvements to light control.

Review of relevant case studies

At the Smithsonian, we’ve developed a cutting-edge lighting system featuring thousands of Bluetooth-connected spotlights. About half of these luminaires can adjust their color, while the other half can be shaped and softened with unprecedented precision thanks to LED technology. This innovative system empowers Scott to orchestrate light in ways previously unimaginable, enabling dynamic performances that bring epic scale paintings to life and reveal the beauty and stories embedded in the artworks at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. We aim to showcase this system through a lighting demonstration, highlighting its ability to enhance the viewing experience for visitors. Topics covered will include the utilization of track lighting and various accessories to illuminate fine art, minimize glare, achieve uniform wall washes, preserve light-sensitive artworks, and optimize the experience for visitors, including those with low vision and color deficiencies.

Knowledge is power. From working to help visualize your story; to understanding content, schedule, budget, and scale; to aesthetic considerations; to technical challenges; to owner concerns and more, there are myriad of ubiquitous components that any professional lighting designer will want to discuss and absorb. The more you can share with a lighting designer, the more you can depend on successful outcomes and budget estimating. This talk aims to set you up for success.

A review of case studies exploring different lighting technologies (from track lighting to projection mapping) used to preserve and showcase art.

A half-hour debate between an architect and a conservator about the issues – pros and cons – of having daylight in museum galleries.

· What is the proper role of daylight in museums?
· What are concerns about the use of daylight in museums?
· What are examples where daylight is underused, overused or where the balance is just right?

What do lighting design clients really want? What “expensive problems” do you solve for them? How can lighting designers, manufacturers, and suppliers better align with their customers? What do lighting design clients want in a collaborator? A real-life client lays it all out there, in an upbeat and candid session.

Opportunity for live attendees to ask questions of the panelist.