National Interpretive Planning Colloquium

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National Interpretive Planning Colloquium

• May 5, 2005
• American Association of Museums

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Why Are We Here?

• It isnt about teaching how to do interpretive
  planning
• Its about sharing information
• And helping the museum field come to consensus on
  this important topic

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Previous AAM Explorations of Interpretation

• National Interpretation Project
• The Interpretive Planning Taskforce of the AAM
  Committee on Education (EdCom)

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The Accreditation Commission

• 9-member body that makes policy and decisions
  regarding AAM accreditation
• May table their decision to give a museum time to
  deal with issues
• 7 of these tabling decisions are about
  interpretation

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Accreditation Standards

• Codified in
• Two Core Questions
• Characteristics of an Accreditable Museum
• Expectation Statements (Planning, Governance,
  Code of Ethics, Delegation of Authority,
  Collections Stewardship, Mission)

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Characteristics Related to Education and
Interpretation

• The museum clearly states its overall educational
  goals, philosophy, and messages, and demonstrates
  that its activities are in alignment with them.
• The museum understands the characteristics and
  needs of its existing and potential audiences and
  uses this understanding to inform its
  interpretation.

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Characteristics Related to Education and
Interpretation

• The museums interpretive content is based on
  appropriate research.
• Museums conducting primary research do so
  according to scholarly standards.

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Characteristics Related to Education and
Interpretation

• The museum uses techniques, technologies, and
  methods appropriate to its educational goals,
  content, audiences, and resources.
• The museum presents accurate and appropriate
  content for each of its audiences.

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Characteristics Related to Education and
Interpretation

• The museum demonstrates consistent high quality
  in its interpretive activities.
• The museum assesses the effectiveness of its
  interpretive activities and uses those results to
  plan and improve its activities.

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What is interpretation?
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What is Interpretation?The Accreditation Program
Definition

• Media and activities through which a museum
  carries out its mission and educational role
• A dynamic process of communication between the
  museum and its audience
• The means by which the museum delivers its
  content.
• Includes, but not limited to, exhibits, tours,
  classes, school programs, publications, and Web
  sites.

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What is a Plan?

• Specific goals to be achieved
• Rationale for these choices
• How they will be achieved
• Who will implement
• When it will happen
• What it will cost
• Time-limited, intended to be achieved in finite
  period of time
• Approved by the governing authority

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Policies

• General guidelines to regulate the activities of
  the organization
• Standards for exercising good judgment
• Delegate authority for implementation
• Not inherently time-limitedendure until
  circumstances require change
• Approved by the governing authority

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Procedures

• Detailed methods for performing an action
• Protocols to follow when implementing a policy
• Succinct directions to accomplish a specific task
• Step-by-step how to
• Approved at the staff level

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Accreditation Commission Expectations on Planning

• Current
• Comprehensive
• Timely
• Formal

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Planning the Process

• The Commission expects the process to be
• Inclusive of all stakeholders staff, governing
  authority, audiences, and community
• On-going
• Reflective
• Documented

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Planning the Document

• Written and approved
• Based on mission
• Tied to other relevant plans
• Set priorities
• Identify how to get resources
• Be a living document

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Planning the Document

• Include measurable goals
• Action steps
• Timelines
• Responsibilities

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Planning the Document

• May all be in one document
• May be divided, for example between
• Big picture, long term
• Detailed, short term, operational

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What is an Interpretive Plan?

• Plan that outlines stories and messages the
  museum wants to convey through a variety of
  media, such as exhibits, programming, and
  publications
• May include the institutions interpretive
  philosophy, educational goals, and target
  audiences
• May be for an individual component of its
  operation--for example, for its permanent
  exhibits or for one of its historic sites

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Mapping Meanings

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What words or phrases do you use?

• Themes
• Experiences
• Topics
• Time periods
• Cultural/historical context
• Resources
• Big Picture stories

• Story lines
• Stories
• Messages
• Experience framework
• Ideas
• Voices
• Focus

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Mapping Meanings

From the online Visual Thesaurus by Thinkmap
http//www.visualthesaurus.com/
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Mapping Meanings

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There is No Common Vocabulary

• So just for today
• Accept the terms and meanings we introduce
• In small group discussions, focus on meanings
  rather than terminology

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How will this be used?

• Dissemination of results to participants,
  Standing Professional Committees, etc.
• Learning in Museums June 16-17, 2006, St. Louis
• Articles in AVISO and Museum News
• Eventually
• Accreditation Commission Expectations Regarding
  Interpretive Planning

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Types of Museums in Which You Work
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Principle Area in Which You Work
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Positions You Hold