If the goal of an exhibition space is to inform and educate widely, then I believe that accessibility is what makes an exhibition space great. Spaces that can be encountered by a wide cross-section of the population as they go about their daily lives will be most impactful in not only exhibiting the material, but also promoting discussion. Often, people without the luxury of discretionary time or money are unable to see exhibition spaces which narrows their potential impact.
An exhibition space I love, and is particularly memorable, is the Crown Fountain in Chicago. It is a water fountain that shows the faces of everyday Chicagoans. It is a fun display situated in a pool where children (and adults!) can play in the water on a warm day. It naturally draws Chicagoans and tourists alike to witness the diversity of the city’s residents.
One example of an accessible exhibition space that we may all be familiar with is the stairwell in Y2E2, where all the strategies used in making the building more sustainable are listed for all to see. This is particularly powerful in a building where students and researchers are focused on sustainability. Better yet, one does not have to make any change in their daily plans (if they are a person who works in Y2E2) in order to come across it.