Altamira Press Effective Exhibit Interpretation and Design (American Association for State & Local History)

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. Review 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 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 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 cas