Museum Exhibit Awards
About the Museum Exhibit Awards
The Wisconsin Historical Society invites nominations for its Museum Exhibit Awards.
Honoring exhibits for their creativity in sharing history with accuracy, relevancy, and design the Wisconsin Historical Society awards two recipients annually.
Two awards for historical exhibits on Wisconsin themes are offered each year: one for an exhibition with a budget of $5,000 or less and one for an exhibition with a budget greater than $5,000.
Nominations are due March 10 of each year.
Leon Lewis
Exhibit with a Budget under $5,000
Iron County Historical Society, Hurley, WI
Submission Guidelines
Please consider the following guidelines when preparing your nomination.
Permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibits are eligible as long as they opened between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year. The entire exhibition must be organized by the applicant institution. Supplements to outside traveling exhibitions are not eligible.
Employees and members of the Board of Curators of the Wisconsin Historical Society are not eligible to receive awards.
Nominations will be evaluated by the following criteria:
- Audience: Who is the intended audience? How is that audience reached? How is the audience included in the exhibition?
- Accuracy: Where is the content coming from? Are these reliable sources? Is the content presented accurately? Is it relevant to the exhibition?
- Relevancy and significance: How is this content relevant to the community? The state? What is the value to the community? How is the content of this exhibition significant? Is there a clear idea presented in a coherent manner?
- Collections: Are collections used to tell the story? Does the selection and presentation of objects express the significant ideas of the exhibit? Are cases, lighting, and environment secure and appropriate?
- Design: Is the design effective in communicating the content? Is the content presented in a way that visitors from different cultures, backgrounds, and ages are able to learn from it?
March 10 of each year (postmarked or delivered)
Nominations must be submitted on the nomination form.
Please attach:
- Narrative (not to exceed three single-spaced pages) that describes the exhibition and addresses how the criteria are met
- Exhibition script including label text
- Exhibition artifact list
- No fewer than 10 photographs of the exhibition showing the layout, design, and displays
- A copy of the exhibition budget
- Exhibition floor plan
Send applications to:
Wisconsin Historical Society
Attention: Nick Hoffman
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706
Awards are initially reviewed by a committee of judges appointed by the Society and then approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Curators. The date and presentation of the award will be made at a time and location convenient for the recipient.
Questions about the Museum Exhibit Awards?
We're here to help you get the information you need. Please reach out.
Nick Hoffman
Administrator of Museums and Historic Sites
Last Updated: August 11, 2026
