Inspiring Action

The Call To Action In interpretive programming, calls to action are the concrete things that audiences can do to become personally involved in the program’s…

Define Enjoyable

It’s tempting to equate ‘enjoyable’ with fun. By and large, they are the same thing; most visits to a museum, historic site, park, zoo, aquarium,…

The way we organize our programs is changing.

What’s new in interpretation and museum education? Less talk and more… well, more everything else Presentational interpretation is any interpretation that places the interpreter at…

Good interpretation is organized.

“Gee, I hope the interpreter wings it today,” said no visitor ever. -Pam Murray, Chair of Interpretation Canada I have seen a lot of interpretive…

A Confluence of Missions

“Interpretation is a mission-based communications process…” In crafting educational experiences that are rewarding and successful for our visitors (and our organizations), we need to look…

Tilden’s Principles, part one

“…but not with the sheer recitation of facts. Not with the names of things, but by exposing the soul of things—those truths that lie behind…

Tilden’s Principles, part two

4. Interpretation is an art, which combines many arts, whether the materials presented are scientific, historical, or architectural. Any art is in some degree teachable.…

Defining Interpretation

In some respects, interpretation has been around for thousands of years. We have always sought to understand the world around us, and communicate the meanings…

“Engaging, unique, and meaningful experiences”

Outcome: Define interpretation as a profession and vocation.Key terms: interpretation, process, mission, provoke, reveal, relevance What is interpretation? “Any communication process designed to reveal meanings…