Why do visitors come to your historic site or museum? What excites (or disappoints) them about your new exhibit? Do they find your institution important in their lives? Why? Why not? Wouldn’t you love to know the answers to these questions? Imagine what it would mean to your organization to find ways to ask these questions and build a conversation with your visitors.
Audience and Evaluation Workshops – Learning Labs I & II
The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) and the New Jersey Historic Trust continue their Best Practices Series for History Organizations with Beverly Sheppard this October. NJHC has recently revised its grant program which now places greater emphasis on understanding audiences and the way they experience history. NJHC is asking organizations to understand better who comes to their museum or historic site, how they feel about their visit, and most importantly, if they will return.
In an effort to demystify how to practice evaluation we are pleased to announce four learning opportunities that will be offered in the northern and southern regions of the state. All are welcome even if you missed the first set of workshops with Ms. Sheppard. It is strongly recommended that you attend at least one lab on each topic, but if that is not possible you may register for one.
Learning Lab I
This lab will focus on techniques for developing and using questionnaires and surveys, as well as visitor talk-back mechanisms. The lab will be highly interactive and participants will work directly with the tools. Registrants are asked to bring an exhibit or program from their institutions to use as a basis for practice. Participants will work in small groups with colleagues to share ideas and help each other.
Learning Lab II
This lab will focus on the development and guidelines for engaging visitors in focus groups and interviews, as well as exploring creative ways to embed evaluation into exhibit design. Registrants are asked to bring an exhibit or program from their institutions to use as a challenge for their application of the techniques. Participants will work in small groups with colleagues to share ideas and help each other.
The southern workshops will take place in Hammonton at Stockton University – Krammer Hall in on the following two dates:
Friday, October 6, 2017 – Learning Lab I
Friday, October 13, 2017 – Learning Lab II
The northern workshops will take place in Morristown at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum on the following two dates:
Tuesday, October 24, 2017 – Learning Lab I
Thursday, October 26, 2017 – Learning Lab II
This is a Key Funding Priority of the New Jersey Historical Commission!