ABSTRACT
In 2018, the Hayward Gallery in London marked its 50th year with the publication of a book. Fifty Years of Great Art Writing: From the Hayward Gallery is a collection of essays from the exhibition catalogues published during the previous half-century with the support of sponsors. Museum audiences' desire illustrated books and continue to consume printed resources as an adjunct to the cultural and leisure activities associated with visits to collections. The resilience of print media is further evidenced by the increasing size and the central location of museum book shops, particularly those associated with art galleries. While non-fiction will remain the primary form of writing for museum audiences, it is possible that the types of books produced will include fiction. Stories and narrative presentations are part of the visitor’s experience in galleries, and the extension of this form of interpretation into printed resources is an obvious development.
