We grappled with this question in 2008 at the Art Gallery of Ontario as part of an information architecture review. From the museum’s perspective it’s an important business — does that mean it warrants a “tab” in the top level navigation? Some museums have it there. But on the other hand, it’s irrelevant to the vast majority of the site’s users, who are looking for current exhibits and the hours of operation. Also, how is it referred to? “Special Events” seems common in the event industry, but it conflicts with other museum initiatives such as fund raising galas. “Private” indicates exclusivity.

Here’s what I found in a survey of 50 museum websites:

“Facility Rental” came out as the clear winner, with 36%. While 22% made it a top-level priority, the majority put it within another section. Which section? “About” with 34%, or “Info” with 21%.

At the AGO we used these findings to inform the decision to call our section “Venue Rental” (which sounds nicer while still avoiding conflict) and link it under “About.”

The sites surveyed were: Skirball, Vancouver, Sfmoma, San Jose, LA MOCA, Phoenix, Colorado, New Orleans, Norton, High, Chrysler, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Wexner, Baltimore, Chicago, Milwaukee, Albright-Knox, Guggenheim, Brooklyn, MoMA, Tate, Louvre, Canada, ROM, Philadelphia, Detroit, Met, Chicago, Bata, Kansas City, New Museum, Walker, Calgary, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Two Rivers, Victoria, Fredericton, Hamilton, McMichael, Nova Scotia, Mendel, MacKenzie, Anchorage, Birmingham, Boise, LA County, de Young, New Brit.

<ul id="slidecontrols">
	<li><a href="#one">One<>a><>li>
	<li><a href="#two">Two<>a><>li>
</ul>

<div id="slides">
	<div id="one">This is content block One</div>
	<div id="two">This is content block Two</div>
</div>

The # links / id’s on the content div’s are to give some functionality for people without JavaScript. Here’s the jQuery:

$(document).ready(function() {

	//Set the initial state: highlight the first button...
	$('#slidecontrols').find('li:eq(0)').addClass('selected');	

	//and hide all slides except the first one
	$('#slides').find('> div:eq(0)').nextAll().hide();	

	//actions that apply on click of any of the buttons
	$('#slidecontrols li').click( function(event) {

		//turn off the link so it doesn't try to jump down the page
		event.preventDefault();

		//un-highlight the buttons
		$('#slidecontrols li').removeClass();

		//hide all the slides
		$('#slides > div').hide();

		//highlight the current button
		$(this).addClass('selected');

		//get the index of the current button...
		var index = $('#slidecontrols li').index(this);

		//and use that index to show the corresponding slide
		$('#slides > div:eq('+index+')').show();

	});

});

Simple! Best wishes to you in your coding!

Updated Dec 12 to fix a issue with inheritance (div’s within div’s).

In 2008 I joined the team as New Media Developer. I create information architectures and layouts, do front and back-end development and production on all their online assets and properties. I also do occasional video production in support of social media initiatives.

• Art Gallery of Ontario
• Art Matters Blog
• shopAGO

I typically use conté on newsprint.

The drawings are done straight with pen (no pencils), and I try to do four a week. For now I’m posting them on Flickr and have created a simple ‘zine. When I have a stock of drawings built up I’ll look for other applications.

View on Flickr

• Wednesday Cooper #2
• Wednesday Cooper #3
• Wednesday Cooper #4
• Wednesday Cooper #5

We performed first at Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in 2006, and then at Glenview Presbyterian Church in 2009. The videos shown here are from the 2009 concert.

• Suite de Deuxième Ton
• In Mystery an Wonder
• Prière après Communion
• The Liberty Bell March (Art Gallery of Silly Walks)

I developed the online voting mechanism and multi-lingual website for the 2009 prize. An explanation of the technological solution can be found on my blog.

See thegrangeprize.com