Interpretive Planning for Museums: Integrating Visitor Perspectives in Decision MakingMuseum professionals' increased focus on visitors in recent years has been demonstrated by, among other things, the enhanced practice of evaluation and the development of interpretive plans. Yet too often, these efforts function independent of one another. This book helps museums integrate visitors' perspectives into interpretive planning by recognizing, defining, and recording desired visitor outcomes throughout the process. The integration of visitor studies in the practice of interpretive planning is also based on the belief that the greater our understanding, tracking, and monitoring of learners, the greater the impact museums will make on public understanding of the science and humanities disciplines. An approach that advocates thoughtful and intentional interpretive planning that constantly integrates visitor perspectives is the next step in working with, rather than for, our communities; a step toward truly becoming visitor-centered and impactful as essential learning institutions of the 21st century. |
Contents
9 | |
11 | |
13 | |
2 Conceptual Foundations | 25 |
3 Interpretive Planning | 37 |
4 The Outcomes Hierarchy | 51 |
5 Integrating Visitor Perspectives in Master Interpretive Planning | 71 |
6 Integrating Visitor Perspectives in Project Interpretive Planning | 103 |
Appendix A Example of Outcomes Hierarchy Used as an Executive Summary of Visitor Perspectives | 141 |
Appendix B Sample Tables of Contents of Interpretive Plans | 145 |
Notes | 153 |
Glossary | 155 |
161 | |
169 | |
About the Authors | 175 |
7 Concluding Thoughts | 129 |
Other editions - View all
Interpretive Planning for Museums: Integrating Visitor Perspectives in ... Marcella Wells,Barbara H Butler,Judith Koke No preview available - 2013 |
Common terms and phrases
activities Art Deco behavior benefits Chapter CMBG Coastal Maine Botanical cognitive collections concept Concept Map consider Copper Country cultural decision define deliberate demand inventory describe desired visitor discussion document Domain Hierarchy Education and Interpretive engagement example Excerpted exhibit development field final recommendations find first five focus funders goals GPRA Hispanic Hoover Dam ideas Implementation Guidelines influence informal learning initiatives institution institution’s Integrating Visitor Perspectives intended interpretation and education Interpretive Master Plan inventory and analysis Key Messages learner Maine Botanical Gardens master interpretive plan Number ofthe opportunities organizations outcome statements outcomes and impacts Outcomes Hierarchy planners planning effort Planning for Museums planning team programs project interpretive plan psychographic public value questions reflect riences role Section significant social specific staff Staffing themes thinking tion topic understanding Visitor Center visitor experiences Visitor Outcomes visitor studies Walking Mountains