It’s what you leave out that makes your message
How to be a better curator
The six most beautiful words in the English language: “In the vault with the curator.” (Followed closely by the six other most beautiful words in the English language: “I’ll have the rack of lamb.”)
I was in Ann Arbor recently, helping University of Michigan communicators write messages that better connect with humans. On my way out of town, I decided to fulfill a 30-year promise to myself and visit the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
There, I got to spend an hour with curator Katy Kim in the vault at the Cranbrook Art Museum. For a nerd like me, this was better than walking into the clubhouse with Shohei Ohtani, stepping onto the practice field with Patrick Mahomes or hanging out backstage with Mick Jagger. All at once.
My writing takeaway?
There’s a ton of great stuff in the vault.
We’re talking paintings by Andy Warhol, pottery by Maija Grotell, sculpture by Duane Hanson — and 8,000 other objects that never see the gallery wall.
The best writing leaves a ton of great stuff in the vault, too.
- The research that didn’t make the point.
- The quote that went on for too long.
- The anecdote that slowed the story.
Be a better curator.
And that’s the secret to being a good curator — of words as well as art: Don’t show them everything you’ve got.
Most of the great stuff doesn’t make it to the wall. It’s often better to leave it in the vault.
👉 Let’s help your team members write crisper, more compelling messages.
