(This article originally appeared in Legacy Magazine.) As an interpretive planner, I’m always on the lookout for tools that help me in my work. A few years ago, when I was working with the Parks Canada agency, we began to develop a creative model we called Essence of Place. It turned out to be not only a good way of defining a site’s themes, but […]
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Should parks and museums have free entry?
(This article first appeared in Legacy Magazine, published by the National Association of Interpretation.) When they say “can’t”, we need to re-train our ears to hear “choose not to”. Two years ago, I fulfilled a lifelong dream and visited the Republic of Ireland. Among its many treasures (endless green hillsides, first-rate beer, friendly locals), I discovered that the Irish national museums are free of charge. […]
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It’s Time to Stop the May Madness
Writing and producing three programs in three weeks is madness. It has to stop. Here’s a proposal that will result in better programs, better promotions, less overtime, and less stress.
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What Is Dialogic Interpretation?
… and why on earth would anybody want to do it? It seems that recently, in my travels where I meet colleagues from the USA, the topic of conversation often turns to the rise of dialogic interpretation: interpretive programming that places an emphasis on getting visitors to talk to each other about the subject at hand. Here in Canada, dialogic interpretation isn’t even on the radar. […]
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The American Rangers Strike Back
As the US Parks take a public stand, this Canadian finds himself inspired, and a little bit shamed. Where the hell were our voices during the Harper years?
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The Art and Science of Visitor Experience
Visitor experience is 70% art and 30% science. When I was a young park interpreter, we rarely had access to audience research. In fact, I don’t much recall anyone talking about it: if you were in the heritage tourism sector, you simply did your work (exhibits, activities, orientation, amenities) as best you could, based on what you thought it should look like. We didn’t spend much […]
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Careers in Interpretation: What’s Next for You?
Dear Don: I’m a museum geek who’s trying to figure out what’s next, and I’m hoping you may have some sage words to impart. What floats my boat is bringing stories to life, sharing ideas, and generally getting folks stoked to be there, be it through exhibitions, education programmes, tours etc. Now I’m trying to figure out how to make that happen, and I […]
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The West Coast Trail: An Adventure
In July of this year I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hike the West Coast Trail in style, with Irie Adventure Tours. I went as a correspondent for Toque and Canoe, Canada’s award-winning travel blog, and it was everything I’d hoped. Read on: Don Enright’s West Coast Trail Adventure
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What is interpretive planning?
We work with parks and museums and science centres and aquariums, to help them plan and produce their programs and exhibits.
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Here’s what’s keeping me (mostly) out of trouble
So a tenor is in bed with another man’s wife. The husband walks in on them and shouts, “Oh my god! What are you doing?” The tenor jumps up and says, “Well, I’m doing Rigoletto, then Traviata, then I’m doing Aida…” So in the spirit of “Oh my god, what are you doing?” I have added a portfolio section to this website, so you can […]
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