Course in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums
Online 300-hour course in exhibition narrative in motor museums. 6 modules covering the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, the ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (Ename, 2008) and Adobe InDesign. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums — studying from Australia
Restoration of classic vehicles and heritage machinery is a valued pursuit in Australia, supported by active car clubs, museums and a dedicated enthusiast community. Engineers and skilled restorers work on historical preservation, parts sourcing, engine rebuilding and compliance with vehicle registration requirements. The heritage and collectable vehicle market supports specialist workshops, parts suppliers and appraisal services. Employers include restoration workshops, museums, specialist importers and heritage organisations.
Fees for Australia: A$712 (AUD), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in Australia
Typical roles
Questions from Australia
Is this training recognised by any Australian heritage or automotive restoration body?
SEIUM qualifications are private and not accredited by any Australian national body or heritage authority. Recognition is decided by employers and individual clients. Heritage listings and vehicle registration are governed by state authorities, so check their requirements separately if they affect your work.
Which Australian businesses might employ restoration specialists with this training?
Classic car restoration workshops, heritage vehicle dealers, museums, and specialist parts suppliers are examples of Australian employers and clients in this area. Hiring decisions rest with each business. A strong restoration portfolio and practical experience are typically more persuasive than a private qualification.
Can I study from Australia while keeping my current work, and can it be funded?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from Australia without a student visa and around your existing work. Fees are payable in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible. Check the total hours and build a schedule you can sustain.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define the main message that an exhibition of vehicles aims to convey.
Build an exhibition script with structure, sequence and rhythm.
Write texts at different reading levels using clear language.
Combine objects, images, sound and interactive resources in the service of the story.
Address difficult historical contexts linked to the car with honesty.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the narrative through audience studies.
Develop the complete narrative for a room in a motor museum.
Who it's for
- Museum scriptwriter who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Exhibition curator who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Cultural content writer who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Mediation manager who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Exhibition designer who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Automotive history communicator who wants to specialise in Exhibition Narrative in Motor Museums.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter museums and collections.
What you'll work with
- ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums
- ICOMOS Charter for the Interpretation and Presentation of Cultural Heritage Sites (Ename, 2008)
- UNE 153101 EX (easy-to-read language)
- ISO 24495-1 (plain language)
- UNE 170001-1 (universal accessibility)
- WCAG 2.1 (web accessibility guidelines)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Difference between collection and narrative1.2What a car can tell1.3Types of exhibition narrative1.4Chronological, thematic and biographical narrative1.5Target audience of the narrative1.6Main message and secondary messages1.7Historical rigour and popularisation1.8Risk of an uncritical narrative1.9Sources and documentation for the script1.10Workshop: defining the message of an exhibition
2.1Structure of the museum script2.2Sections and their progression2.3Selecting objects in the service of the narrative2.4Key and supporting pieces2.5Documents, photographs and objects2.6Narrative rhythm and pauses2.7Twists, contrasts and surprise2.8Closing the route2.9Validating the script with the team2.10Practice: complete script for a room
3.1Hierarchy of gallery texts3.2Section and object text3.3Length and legibility3.4Plain language and technical terms3.5Reading levels for different audiences3.6Languages and translation3.7Easy-to-read texts and cognitive accessibility3.8Typography, contrast and height3.9Review and proofreading of texts3.10Practice: writing texts for a section
4.1Historical photography and its use4.2Audiovisuals and their duration4.3Reconstructions and models4.4Testimonies and oral archives4.5Sound and ambience4.6Objects that can be touched4.7Exploded views and sectioned pieces4.8Lighting in the service of the narrative4.9Stage design: limits and risks4.10Practice: choosing resources for a section
5.1Uncomfortable stories in the sector5.2Vehicles linked to problematic contexts5.3Labour, industry and social conflict5.4Environmental impact of the car5.5Brand narrative versus historical narrative5.6Sponsorship and its influence on the script5.7Transparency about what is unknown5.8Plurality of voices5.9Critical review of the script5.10Practice: handling a difficult topic
6.1Testing the script with visitors6.2Assessing comprehension6.3Adjusting the narrative after opening6.4Catalogue and publication of the narrative6.5Associated activity programme6.6Staff training on the narrative6.7Archiving the script and sources6.8Common mistakes in exhibition narrative6.9Documented real cases6.10Final project: complete narrative script for an exhibition
How you'll learn
Fully 100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, making it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Adobe InDesign, Miro, SketchUp, Microsoft Word, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work covers real procedures for building a museum script, drafting captions by reading level, and assessing comprehension with visitors. Assessment is continuous across each module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Define the main message that an exhibition of vehicles aims to convey.
Build an exhibition script with structure, sequence and rhythm.
Write texts at different reading levels using clear language.
Combine objects, images, sound and interactive resources in the service of the story.
Address difficult historical contexts linked to the car with honesty.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- A level of Spanish sufficient to follow technical standards documentation.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours a week, compatible with a full-time job.
The course works with Adobe InDesign, Miro, SketchUp, Microsoft Word. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates a free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma of your own on passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised towards the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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