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Hosting an Exhibit
The Minnesota Historical Society Traveling Exhibits Program, Exhibits To Go! offers a competitive "first-come-first-served" booking process for cultural institutions, libraries, and other organizations interested in hosting a traveling exhibit.
Current application period
Applications are being accepted for 2026 tour dates for:
Booking Minnesota Historical Society traveling exhibits
In the application, host institutions must explain how the exhibit will benefit your museum and community; be able to supplement the traveling exhibit with local content; and be able to transport, set up and take down the exhibit. Please read the following for specific information about these requirements.
General information
Exhibits are available to entities that serve a public good, such as historical organizations, tribal organizations, libraries, and schools.
Before applying to host an exhibit, please review the host responsibilities and information for each exhibit.
Organizations are encouraged to create partnerships for hosting the exhibits and developing local content. If you feel that you do not have the staff or full resources to host an exhibit, consider collaborating with another organization.
There is no rental fee. The host organization must transport the exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul, perform set up and take down/packing, and return it to MNHS. MNHS also asks you to develop programs and relevant local content displays, and promote the exhibit to your community.
We’re happy to answer questions! Email travelingexhibits@mnhs.org
Competitive booking process
- The application period is on a "first-come-first-served" basis.
- Confirmation of accepted applications and dates will be emailed to applicants within four business weeks after receipt of the application.
- Go to the schedules page for each exhibit to see what time slots are available for:
Please read the application guidelines instructions carefully when completing the application.
Logistics: shipping, set up, and take down
- Host venues are required to provide transportation of the exhibit in enclosed vehicles.
- Each host site transports the exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul. Transportation in enclosed vehicles is required. Host must provide at least three strong people to help load/unload the exhibit. See shipping crates and weights information for each exhibit.
- Each exhibit comes with a thorough set-up and take-down instruction manual. MNHS staff are available by phone and email to answer questions.
- Exhibits include freestanding pop-up banners, at least one electronic touch-screen media kiosk and at least one mechanical or physical interactive.
- Each host is responsible for providing a minimum of two people to set up and take down exhibits.
Content enhancements
Hosts and partners are strongly encouraged to enhance the traveling exhibits with objects and stories from your collection or area. Each exhibit is focused on broad statewide themes; hosts and partners should add materials that show how these statewide themes are reflected locally. PDFs of the interpretive panels are available on each exhibit’s page.
Supervision and security
The gallery/space must be supervised during open hours. Minnesota Historical Society exhibits — including all crating and packing materials — should be kept at all times in a secured, dry environment free from pests and vermin.
Publicity and resources
Hosts agree to credit the Minnesota Historical Society Traveling Exhibits Program, Exhibits To Go!, in any exhibit publicity. All publicity and marketing from the host institution must include the following credit: Made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.
The Minnesota History Center Traveling Exhibits Program, Exhibits To Go!, provides, via mail and online:
- An exhibit press kit
- Exhibit rack cards, posters, and other promotional materials
- Educational packet with teacher’s and programming information
Insurance and risk loss
Individual host sites do not need to pay for additional insurance coverage of the exhibit components while hosting or when making in-state shipping arrangements.