Interpretive Planning

Museum 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.

This second edition of Interpretive Planning: The 5-M Model for Successful Planning Projects draws from the author's more than three decades of experience in creating interpretive plans, and explains the process she has taught to hundreds of interpreters. This book can be a valuable tool for those wishing to develop an interpretive plan as well as those aspiring to work as a consultant or planner.

First Published in 2016. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an Informa company.

"Most trails are designed just to get the visitor from Point A to Point B. Interpretive trails are designed to help the visitor laugh, cry, smile, discover, understand and explore along the way." - John A Veverka. Interpretive trails - both outdoor and indoor - are used by museums, galleries, historic sites, parks, gardens and zoos worldwide. They can provide visitors with a unique immersion experience in viewing, discovering and enjoying the locations they're visiting, and in helping them re-connect with a natural or cultural environment in a personal way. Yet to be truly effective, there are proven and tested guidelines to follow about how to plan any trail's story, its experience opportunities, and its delivery and physical design. Based on 40 years' interpretive planning experience, The Interpretive Trails Book shares successful planning strategies and guidelines as tools to help create amazing interpretive experiences. For those involved in learning, engagement, interpretation, planning, consultancy, landscape architecture, and training - and those charged with developing interpretive trails who have no specific training in interpretive services themselves, this book will become an indispensable and easy-to-follow resource to help create trails that engage, motivate and inspire visitors.

Interpretative Master Planning: A Framework for Historical Sites begins with the basics of any planning experience: why do an interpretative master plan (IMP) and is your institution ready to undergo such a process? These chapters are followed with straightforward guidance on how to go about organizing the necessary funding to pay for an IMP’s development, the core members of your planning team, choosing stakeholders, hosting focus groups, and using all the information gathered to develop an engaging interpretative master plan that is unique to your museum, historic site, or organization. The book features five case studies highlighting organizations that have undergone the interpretative master planning process. Each case study offers a unique point of view about the process and provides the organization’s conclusions as to what they would or would not do again if they had the choice. The end results showcase the wealth of useful information that can be garnered from an Interpretative Master Planning experience. Interpretative Master Planning: A Framework for Historical Sites offers a complete framework complemented by real-world examples for creating a blueprint that will strengthen any organization’s interpretation.

"Most 'interpretation' is not interpretation at all. It's just information. It may look attractive, but it fails to deliver the message." Based on John Veverka's worldwide experience of high level interpretive consulting and training, the focus of Advanced Interpretive Planning is firmly on enabling museums, galleries and heritage sites to provide visitors with quantifiable, actionable and enjoyable learning experiences. Using a rich variety of real-world examples, John Veverka's passion and enthusiasm for the subject is evident as he introduces new interpretive concepts, shares his in-depth knowledge, and updates tried and tested methodologies. "Far beyond educating staff on the principles of interpretation, John Veverka charged them up to get out and work with the public again."