Uma abordagem participativa para a elaboração de exposições museais

Abstract

This research investigates the use of participatory approaches in the development of museum exhibitions, with emphasis on the active involvement of audiences throughout the project cycle. It stems from the observation that, although contemporary museums have expanded their educational and social roles, audience participation remains frequently limited within exhibition design processes. Accordingly, the general aim of this study was to outline a set of design guidelines capable of supporting collaborative, dialogical, and situated practices in the field of exhibition design. A qualitative, applied, exploratory and propositional approach was adopted. The methodological strategy articulated three complementary strands: (i) a narrative literature review to build the theoretical framework; (ii) a systematic literature review (SLR) focused on identifying strategies, concepts, and challenges related to audience participation; and (iii) a case study based on semi-structured interviews with museum professionals and audience representatives involved in a participatory exhibition project at the Museu da Vida Fiocruz. Empirical data were analyzed through content analysis, supported by the MAXQDA software, using categories derived from the SLR. This process enabled the achievement of four specific objectives: to identify the state of the art on participatory methods in exhibitions; to investigate the challenges, needs, and practices involved in exhibitions developed with active audience participation; to analyze the procedures adopted in different stages of the project cycle; and to systematize design guidelines based on the articulation between theoretical and empirical findings. As a result, 34 guidelines were formulated, organized into analytical categories and transversal thematic axes. The contributions include understanding the factors that facilitate or hinder audience engagement in exhibition development, defining a guiding project cycle, and proposing orientations applicable to museum practice. The study also identified gaps such as the predominance of participation restricted to the conceptual stage and the absence of structured evaluations of the participatory experience. Among the limitations, the focus on a single case study constrains the generalization of the findings. Nevertheless, the results provide valuable insights for the participatory development of more inclusive, contextualized, and socially engaged exhibitions, reinforcing the potential of Participatory Design as a strategic approach to strengthening the democratic role of museums.