Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Design Renovation (CEER)
The American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. (AAZK) is the administering organization of the Certificate of Excellence in Exhibit Design Renovation (CEER) presented by the AAZK Awards Committee. The purpose of the award is to recognize institutions or organizations in the zoological community for the design and renovation of existing animal facilities which involved active keeper participation in the process.
The CEER was established by Janet McCoy, 1990 CHAIR. Bill Whittaker proposed the award to the AAZK Board of Directors. The award is presented at the annual AAZK National Conference.
Qualifications
- Any North American zoological institution or organization is eligible.
- The renovated exhibit must be in full operation for at least two (2) years.
- The exhibit must be nominated by a keeper at that same institution or organization. Supporting nominations may be submitted by management personnel from the same institution.
Nomination Procedure
- List institution or organization’s name, address, phone and Director.
- Document local awards or commendations for exhibit, drawings,
8 X 10 color photos - no slides (2 before and 8 after), and renovated exhibit type: single or multi-species, and size. - Document keeper participation in the design and why the existing facility was renovated.
- Document interface with other zoo divisions; and maintenance of exhibit after completion.
- The deadline for nominations is MAY 1st of each year.
NOTE: Materials will not be returned.
Selection Procedure
The Awards Committee, consisting of five keepers, will independently review each nominee.
Nominee Evaluation:
The evaluation of each nomination is broken down into four categories based on the general guidelines outlined for the award. The four categories are: Keeper Involvement, Exhibit Functionality, Exhibit Management and Visitor Point of View/ Other Information. Items the committee is looking for are the following:
KEEPER INVOLVEMENT
- degree of keeper involvement with conceptual development of exhibit
- degree of keeper involvement with facilitation of completion of exhibit, (fundraising, promotion, assist with construction)
- contribution to educational experience (graphics, conservation message
- originality - is it something new and different, or has it been tried before?
EXHIBIT FUNCTIONALITY
- versatility - indoor/outdoor, four seasons, protection from elements
- accommodates and encourages animal’s natural behavior – climbing structures, land area, height, water
- hard (gunite, concrete) vs. soft (grass, dirt) environments - as to animal needs
- sight lines valuable to animal as well as visitor - important to some animals (polar bear, chimps)
- physical and visual barriers for animal’s use, animal safety
- flexible entrance/exits (hoofstock - more than one entrance)
- ability to exhibit natural social grouping
- breeding success
EXHIBIT MANAGEMENT
- how management of exhibit interfaces with other zoo divisions (grounds, maintenance - simple repair, paint)
- keeper serviceability, overall maintenance of exhibit and surroundings
- adequate drains and properly located
- quality and versatily of holding areas - ease of separating animals, moving, breeding, sick
- keeper sight lines - can you see animal when they come into holding or when shifting them between areas, keeper safety
- ease of providing time change items (browse, logs, feed, novel objects)
- environmental control (ease of seasonal adjustments - ventilation, heat)
VISITOR POINT OF VIEW/OTHER INFORMATION
- educational experience (conservation message)
- immediate and sustained viewer interest
- sight lines - not see doors, drains, fencing - does it have esthetics?
- bonus point - local awards, commendation, “wow” factor
- include anything else pertinent to the renovated exhibit that you think is important