In this brief article, VSA President Ridgeley Williams reflects on the past VSA conference in Raleigh, North Carolina and discusses planning for the next conference in Minnesota.
In this paper, Chris Steiner of the Albuquerque Museum investigates evaluation and its relation to art programs and organization. Steiner explores questions related to the appropriateness of evaluation in the art realm as well as new methods designed to facilitate the artistic creativity associated with the arts. Steiner presents eleven guidelines and recommendations for facilitating evaluation as an ongoing open-system-based process for arts organizations.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Chris Steiner
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
In this paper, evaluator Marilyn G. Hood, Ph.D. of Hood Associates discusses learning opportunities from projects, programs and plans that don't go as planned. Hood presents examples from her career and argues that it is essential to report failed or difficult experiences to the rest of the field to help colleagues avoid the same problems and to advance the field of visitor studies.
This paper discusses the whole evaluation process and draws from a new communications evaluation program which covers live communication programs as well as exhibitions at Parks Canada, Quebec Region. This paper address the client's role and the evaluator's conduct: addressing a request, choosing a consultant, giving support, and applying results.
In this paper, Alan J. Friedman, director of the New York Hall of Science, discusses the importance of evaluation, specifically formative evaluation, for measuring success at a museum and fulfilling mission statements. Friedman presents four real examples of exhibit projects, in which the directors or exhibit directors involved elected to expend funds for formative evaluation. Friedman goes on to discuss the benefits of this research and what surprising information staff came to know as a result.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Alan J. Friedman
resourceresearchProfessional Development, Conferences, and Networks
This paper presents a transcript from a panel discussion at a VSA program gathered to explore issues of concern related to the life of the "in-house evaluator." Three panelists, experience in-house evaluators, discuss their personal solutions to these issues and contradictions raised by this unique position, in the hope of helping professionals new to the task.
This paper presents an overview of methodology and findings from research that aimed to demonstrate, describe, and discuss actual cases of audience research conducted by museums with living collections (i.e. botanical gardens, arboreta, zoological parks, and aquaria). This research analyzes these museums' rationales for conducting evaluation studies, their chosen methods of implementation, the advantages and disadvantages of the chosen methods, and the consequences of the resulting data. The cumulative results of this research serve as a guide for professionals responsible for the operation of
This paper presents an overview of evaluation efforts at the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation, which consists of two major national museums--the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the Canadian War Museum. The authors explain how their "do-it-yourself" evaluation approach as a model for other museums with very limited resources.
This paper summarizes discussions from a conference session that defined four issues concerning formative evaluation: (1) deciding what should be evaluated; (2) using small, but representative samples; (3) defining "effectiveness" of mock-ups; and (4) recommendations and follow-through.
This paper outlines findings from a 1990 survey conducted by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), specifically related to the prevalence and value of teacher training programs at accredited AAZPA institutions.
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a study that analyzed the effects of zoo-based educational approaches on the knowledge of, and attitude toward, wildlife conservation among Colombian fourth-grade students (9 to 11 years of age). The rationale behind the study was that direct experience, coupled with adequate preparation and reinforcement, should improve children's knowledge of, and attitudes toward wildlife.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Teresa Gutierrez de WhiteSusan K. Jacobson
This paper outlines the methodology and findings of a front-end evaluation conducted by staff at the Science Museum at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in preparation of opening a new Biodiversity Hall. Researchers surveyed junior high teachers and students to better understand this audience's attitudes about the environment, evolution, taxonomy, biodiversity, etc. as well as their general knowledge of these topics.
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TEAM MEMBERS:
Silvia E. ZamoraSusana Lopez de LaraAdriana Bravo