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 were: 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.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
Tessa Bridal coalesces her vast knowledge of museum theatre expertise making Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design a mandatory, useful and educational "how to handbook" for both novices and pros. This book is also packed with other museum theatre professionals' programming ideas for creating memorable and meaningful visitor experiences. -- Harriet Lynn, producer and artistic director of the Heritage Theatre Artists' Consortium, Baltimore, MD Bridal is always cognizant of the need to remain on mission, and encourages not just cooperation but collaboration between departments that may at first seem at odds. She offers several clear paths to such collaboration, and the end results can only benefit museum patrons. Packed with effective, audience-tested, real world examples from some of the country's great institutions, Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design is a thoughtful and thought provoking book that that will refocus those teams that already employ the techniques, and energize institutions that have yet to discover the rich and wonderful world of museum theater. Tessa Bridal has given the museum community an invaluable gift, and we would do well to follow the example and share the lessons of this gift with our visitors. -- Douglas Coler, Assistant Manager, (In)Formal Education, Discovery Place, North Carolina Tessa Bridal has a depth of experience creating interpretation that engages the attendee and spurs their minds while respecting the art and history of the exhibit. Her approach and perspective have made life-long museum attendees and members of many who envisioned a museum as stale and dry only to find it alive and vibrant from her interpretive approach. I believe firmly in her marriage of theater and learning to create an experience for the attendee that stays with them long after they have left. Her approach in this text allows people to develop this style of appropriately engaging interpretation for their museum environment. -- David Grindle, Executive Director, United States Institute for Theatre Technology Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design provides convincing arguments for including high quality live interpretation in your museum, zoo or science center exhibitions to foster deeper relationships between your audience and your content. This valuable and practical guide is packed with case studies and clear instructions for selecting appropriate content to interpret, designing performance spaces, finding professional script writers, and hiring and working with actors. Everything you need to know to get started, whether planning a new exhibition or adding live interpretation to an existing space, is included in this vital resource. -- Barbara E. Brennan, co-director, Graduate Exhibit Design Certificate Program, George Washington University
Sprache
Verlagsort
Zielgruppe
Für Beruf und Forschung
US School Grade: From College Freshman to College Graduate Student
Maße
Höhe: 235 mm
Breite: 157 mm
Dicke: 13 mm
Gewicht
ISBN-13
978-0-7591-2110-2 (9780759121102)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Klassifikation
Tessa Bridal has over 30 years of experience working with museums, and as a consultant nationally and internationally, and received the American Association of Museums' Education Committee Award for Excellence in Practice, given to individuals who have greatly influenced the work of the museum education field. She is the author of a prize winning novel, a contributor to several anthologies, has served as editor of newsletters and museum publications, and of the non-fiction book Exploring Museum Theatre, also published by Alta Mira Press. She can be contacted at tessa.bridal@icloud.net.
Introduction
List of Illustrations
List of Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
The Museums
Chapter 1
oDesigning an exhibit and a program space simultaneously
oRetrofitting and Adding Interpretation to Existing Exhibits
oNo Program Space
oChallenges and Benefits of collaborative exhibit design/fabrication and interpretation/program development
?Communication
?Organization
?Space
?Dead space
?Location
?Connection to exhibit
?Sound and activity from adjacent exhibits
?Storage
?Technical needs
?Visitor comfort
oAddress the needs of an audience to see, hear, and focus
oDiscuss the various styles of interpretation best suited to the goals of your exhibit
oResults
Chapter 2
oMascots
oExhibit host/greeter
oTours
oGuest presenters
oObject carts
oFacilitated programs
oDemonstrations/presentations
oCharacter appearances
oStorytelling
oCreative dramatics
oLiving history
oMuseum theatre
Chapter 3
oProgram development
oExpectations of programs and those who present them
oWho presents
oWho are our interpreters and what do we call them?
oSelecting presenters
oTraining/coaching
oWhy hire live interpreters when electronic means are available?
oScripts
oIn closing...
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix C
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Appendix G
Appendix H
Appendix I
Resources
