Center for Museum Studies, Smithsonian Institution, is now accepting
applications for:
INTRODUCTION to INTERPRETATION in MUSEUMS
October 30 - November 3, 1995
Application Deadline - September 15, 1995
Museums contain a wealth of knowledge, yet, with few
exceptions, their potential for greater educational involvement
with the public remains a relatively untapped resource. Research
shows that the active involvement of people in the learning
process leads to experiences that generate meaning for them. The
use of performing arts formats and techniques in museums opens up
a fertile learning environment for audiences of all ages and
cultures. Storytelling, dramatizations, historical reenactments,
and similar venues offer opportunities for museum staff to
enliven their programming and for visitors to engage in creative
thought and increase their knowledge.
Workshop Objectives
Participants can expect to learn:
- about the key stages in program development, the issues that
can arise, and ways of assessing progress at each stage of
the creative process
- how to create a story using objects
- how to combine performing arts with credible research
methodologies that teach as well as entertain
- methods for incorporating the arts into exhibition
programming
- how to find resources, including directors, performers, and
script writers
- how to manage the flow of work and a budget
- how to teach effective communication skills to interpreters
Workshop Content
The Workshop Series curriculum is linked directly to issues
faced by people working in small, emerging, culturally specific,
and rural museums. Introduction to Interpretation in Museums
aims to aid staff in understanding the role performing arts
activities can play in a museum and the tasks involved in
producing various types of programs. Content will focus on
storytelling, living history, dramatizations, historical
reenactments, and other performing arts venues. Areas to be
covered include designing and producing a program; audience
participation and interaction; working with performers,
dramatists, other staff and volunteers; research and development
of storylines; and costuming, props and reproductions.
Who should attend
The workshop is designed for people responsible for
planning, organizing, coordinating, delegating, and conducting
interpretative programs in museums and cultural institutions.
This includes staff, volunteers, and board members, in paid or
unpaid positions, who work full- or part-time.
Selection criteria
Up to 16 participants will be selected on a competitive
basis to attend the workshop.
Preference is given to applicants
- who have a demonstrated commitment to the museum field,
- whose primary responsibilities are directly related to the
workshop topic, and
- whose institution has a budget of $250,00 or less annually,
and employs five -or less people full-time.
Faculty
The teaching team is lead by Rex Ellis, Ed.D., director,
Center for Museum Studies, Smithsonian Institution, and educator
and storyteller; Kimberly Kelly, museum educator, National
Museum of American History; and Esther Washington, museum
educator, National Postal Museum. Course instructors have
demonstrated expertise in their subject areas and hands-on
experience working in situations similar to those that
participants face.
Workshop methods and materials
Instructional methods include a mix of lectures,
demonstrations, tours, group discussions, and hands-on skills
training and exercises. On-site visits to museums and cultural
facilities are integral components of the instructional process
as well. These visits serve as case studies for examining
organizational responses to real museum situations.
The workshop will use a "problem-solving" approach.
Participants are expected to take an active part in their
learning process by analyzing and sharing their own experiences,
contributing to and leading group exercises, and developing and
critiquing action plans developed during the course.
Each participant receives a resource notebook specially
designed for the workshop. It contains selected reference
materials, model forms, resource lists, and bibliographic
citations.
Cost
The workshop fee is $275.00. It covers all tuition,
instructional materials, one group meal and transportation to
instructional sites that are not accessible via the city's
subway/bus system or within walking distance of the Smithsonian
Mall. Participants are responsible for their own lodging, food,
transportation, telephone and fax charges, and other personal
expenses.
Scholarships are not available from the Smithsonian. We
encourage applicants to contact the Institute of Museum Services
(IMS), about their Technical Assistance Grants (TAG). TAG
provides funds to help museum staff defray the costs of attending
training workshop. The IMS telephone number is 202-606-8539; fax
number is 202-606-8591.
Funding opportunities may also be available through your
state arts or humanities council.
PLEASE NOTE
The Smithsonian Institution/Center for Museum Studies
(SI/CMS) and the Institute of Museum Services (IMS) are
completely separate organizations. An application to IMS for a
TAG grant does not function as an application to a SI/CMS
workshop, nor does an award of a TAG grant by IMS confer
acceptance to a SI/CMS program.
Payment Schedule
Do NOT send any money with the application form. Full
payment of $275.00 is due in the CMS office within 10 days of
notification of acceptance to the workshop. In the event of a
need to cancel participation, $125.00 of the fee will be refunded
if notice is received ten (10) days prior to the first day of the
workshop.
Application procedure
1. Complete the attached "Introduction to Interpretation in
Museums" Application Form.
2. Attach a one-page resume outlining your educational and
employment history, professional affiliations, and achievements.
3. Secure a letter of support from your director, board
official, or the person to whom you report and include it with
the Application Form and Resume.
4. Mail an original and three (3) copies of all of the
application materials (application form, resume, and letter of
support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D.C. 20560
Facsimile-transmitted applications will be accepted for this
workshop ONLY (Be sure to send four copies).
5. To be eligible for consideration, applications must be
received in the Center for Museum Studies Office by September 15,
1995. Notification of admission decisions will be made by
September 29, 1995.
For further information, contact the Workshop Series, Center for
Museum Studies telephone 202-357-3101, fax 202-357-3346,
email [log in to unmask]
Application Form
Introduction to Interpretation in Museums
October 30 - November 3, 1995
Application deadline (in the CMS office) September 15, 1995
Name
Name of museum
Title
Mailing address
Daytime telephone
Fax number
e-mail address
Tell us about your institution (All information will be
held in confidence.) Do not send brochures or other printed
material about the museum.
1. What is the museum's main purpose?
2. What is the museum's best feature?
3. What is the area of greatest need at your museum?
4. What kind(s) of collections does the museum hold?
5. How many staff work at the museum? _______________
How many are paid? __________
6. Do you use volunteers in the museum ? yes _____no______
How many?___________
What tasks do volunteers perform?
What is the title of the person who is responsible for
training and directing the volunteers?
7. Is your museum part of a cooperative network of related
organizations or other network? yes_____ no_____
8. What is your museum's total budget? $__________________
9. What is the budget of the education / public programs
department? $________________________
10. Does the museum offer a regularly scheduled program of
educational activities? yes ___ no___
What kinds of programs are offered?
11. Does the museum offer theater or drama type programs?
yes ___ no ___ what type(s)?
for how many years have they been offered? ________________
12. What is the drama program's best feature?
What is the drama program's greatest need?
13. How many visitors per year does your museum serve? _______
Approximately what percentage are in
school groups? _________ adult groups? _________
individual walk-ins? ____________
Tell us about yourself:
1. What got you involved in museum interpretation?
2. What are your direct responsibilities?
3. Are you new to this assignment? yes ___ no ___
4. What is the most challenging aspect to you in your job?
5. Do you have supervisory responsibilities? yes___ no___
6. Do you have responsibilities for budgeting? yes ___ no__
7. Do you write grant(s) seeking funds? yes___ no___
8. What do you most want to accomplish by attending this
workshop?
9. What experience do you have with designing and managing
theater / drama programs?
10. How will the information / experiences gained through
attending this workshop be shared with others in your network or
circle?
11. Other information you would like to share that will help us
design the workshop?
Thank you for your interest in the CMS Introduction to
Interpretation in Museums workshop.
Signature________________________________________Date____________
Mail or fax an original and three (3) copies of a completed
application package (application form, resume, and letter of
support) to:
Workshop Series Center for Museum Studies
MRC 427
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, DC 20560
Fax : 202-357-3346
Application deadline (in CMS office): September 15, 1995
Facsimile-transmitted applications will be accepted for this
workshop ONLY (Be sure to send four copies).
Bruce C. Craig Internet: [log in to unmask]
Center for Museum Studies Smithsonian Institution
A&I 2235-MRC427 Washington, DC 20560
(202) 357-3148 FAX:(202) 357-3346
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