Interpreting Heritage

Steve Slack is a heritage interpretation consultant. He began his professional career at the Imperial War Museum and the British Museum and has been an independent interpreter and consultant since 2009, working with museums, galleries, libraries, archives and other heritage sites. www.steveslack.co.uk

• Introduction; 1 What is interpretation?; 2 What is heritage?; 3 Interpretation planning; 4 Purposes of interpretation; 5 Audiences; 6 Interpretive outcomes; 7 Selecting interpretive devices; 8 The interpretive catalogue; 9 Delivering interpretive projects; 10 Managing and maintaining interpretation; 11 Evaluating interpretation

"‘Accessibility’ can be a vexed word in heritage interpretation, but this engaging and eminently useful book manifests accessibility at every turn. Steve Slack builds an open-ended, questions-based model which allows both experienced and novice interpreters to conceptualise, plan, and deliver interpretation which is not only effective and appropriate, but also ethical and inclusive. Myriad case studies and concrete examples showcase practical responses to the challenges of interpretation across the sector, be it a major museum or a unique outdoor experiential site. Slack presents thoughtful engagement with the historical origins of interpretation as well as its contemporary realities, and balances useful reflection on theory with practical, but not prescriptive, advice. The book is both a springboard for further research and a resource in and of itself. With the needs of audiences firmly at the centre of his model, Slack demonstrates that interpretation can be a powerful tool for connection and for change." – Louise Ravelli, University of New South Wales, Australia