Are Exhibition Titles Italicized?
Exhibition-title treatment is style-specific rather than universal. UW–Madison italicizes art-exhibit titles, while the Australian Government Style Manual uses roman type for exhibition titles.
It depends on the style guide. Some styles italicize exhibition titles, while others use roman type.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Do not confuse an exhibition title with the title of an exhibition catalogue, which may be treated differently by the same style guide.
Further guidance
Example
Style contrast: one guide would set *Light Across Water* in italics as an exhibition title; another would set Light Across Water in roman type.
Practical Application
Treat exhibition titles as style-specific. The reviewed UW–Madison guide italicizes art-exhibit titles, while the Australian Government Style Manual uses roman type.
Reader Check
Check the required house or national style before editing. Do not present one convention as universal grammar.
Recommendation
Use the convention required by your governing style guide; exhibition titles are not universally italicized.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Editorial Style Guide Index (opens in a new tab)University of Wisconsin–Madison · University house-style guidance that italicizes titles including brochures, pamphlets, and art exhibits.
- Works of art — Australian Government Style Manual (opens in a new tab)Australian Government Style Manual · Australian Government style guidance uses roman type for exhibition titles, providing a documented contrast with house styles that italicize exhibit titles.