|
|
Reach, resonance, revenue: pick two
|
I'm thinking of all my heritage interpretation people these days.
|
As the world spins toward uncertainty, I am motivated by the deep belief that our work matters. Nature matters. History matters.
|
As educators, curators, and interpreters, we are the people who calmly hold a mirror to society's face. Our museums and galleries and nature centres bear witness to who we are. They quietly attest: this is us at our best; this is what's at stake. And this is what history teaches us about how fragile it all is.
|
Heritage interpretation is a form of resistance. Keep up the good work, all.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reach, resonance, revenue: pick two
|
|
Borrowing from Keith Bontrager’s famous cycling maxim—light, strong, cheap: pick two—this essay argues that visitor experience planning faces the same constraint. Reach, resonance, revenue: you can usually optimize two. The real work is choosing intentionally, then curating a smart portfolio of programs.
|
|
|
|
Keeping exhibits alive (and successful)
|
|
A big part of my work these days is doing interpretive planning and content development for exhibits—in museums, zoos, historic sites, parks, and science centres. Working as part of a consultant design team, I begin by listening closely to what an organization wants to achieve, then help clarify what success might look like, and finally work towards it through writing, …
|
|
|
|
|
|
No More Mr. Bad Guy
|
|
In my work as an interpretive planner, I’m often expected to assess the visitor experience as it exists today. And let me tell you, few things come as naturally to me as criticizing things. After forty-odd years of walking through museums, parks, visitor centres, exhibits, and programs, my brain is pretty good at spotting friction points. I notice what’s unclear, …
|
|
|
|
|
|
Training interpreters on a budget
|
|
If you’re a manager or supervisor in a small organization, training staff might feel like a daunting task. You’re juggling limited resources, and the idea of creating a whole program from scratch can be overwhelming. The good news? You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—and you’re not alone. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with creating an …
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
