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Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design
As the American Alliance of Museums’ (AAM) Standing Professional Committees Council tells us “exhibitions are the public face of museums. The effective presentation of collections and information in exhibitions is an activity unique to museums, and it is through their exhibitions that the vast majority of people know museums.”
Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design examines the impact of an integrated approach to exhibit design and development on the effective creation and support of live interpretation of exhibit messages and institutional mission. Bridal argues that the interpreters who bring these exhibitions, an institution’s mission, collections, and stories to life and the forefront of a visitor’s attention are just as vital a part of an institution’s public face, and that neglecting to give live interpretation an equal seat at the table impoverishes the ultimate visitor experience.
Eight institutions collaborated with the author in examining the outcomes of approaching exhibit and live interpretation design and development collaboratively, the challenges of adding interpretation to spaces and exhibits not designed for it, and the guiding practices they have put into place. These institutions Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, Minnesota History Center, The Missouri History Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, National Children’s Museum, The National Museum of American History, The Science Museum of Minnesota and The Science Museum of Virginia. Information was also shared by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design examines the impact of an integrated approach to exhibit design and development on the effective creation and support of live interpretation of exhibit messages and institutional mission. Bridal argues that the interpreters who bring these exhibitions, an institution’s mission, collections, and stories to life and the forefront of a visitor’s attention are just as vital a part of an institution’s public face, and that neglecting to give live interpretation an equal seat at the table impoverishes the ultimate visitor experience.
Eight institutions collaborated with the author in examining the outcomes of approaching exhibit and live interpretation design and development collaboratively, the challenges of adding interpretation to spaces and exhibits not designed for it, and the guiding practices they have put into place. These institutions Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, Minnesota History Center, The Missouri History Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, National Children’s Museum, The National Museum of American History, The Science Museum of Minnesota and The Science Museum of Virginia. Information was also shared by the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
126 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 18, 2020
This book focuses on live, interactive interpretation, though there’s a lot of useful information and suggestions for exhibit planning in general.
December 9, 2024
Hard copy.
I read this as part of my Master's of Museum Studies program.
This book is intended to inform museum professional about building effective exhibitions. It encourages the use of a wide variety of mode and media to enhance visitor learning.
I read this as part of my Master's of Museum Studies program.
This book is intended to inform museum professional about building effective exhibitions. It encourages the use of a wide variety of mode and media to enhance visitor learning.
July 31, 2015
It was short, interesting. I felt like it focused more on large museums which was cool but it would have been nice to see what a smaller museum could do.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews