Interpretation aims to do more than simply communicate facts. It uses original objects, first-hand experiences, and media to communicate meaning and understanding. But unlike most other museum disciplines, interpretation within art museums poses a range of particularly challenging - even contentious - issues. Among them:

  1. a concern not to spoil the direct, often sensitive, relationship between the viewer and the work of art;
  2. the perceived difficulty of tackling sometimes particularly esoteric, complex or controversial themes;
  3. an unwillingness to offer one single interpretation or meaning for a work;
  4. the view that a work of art should be allowed to “speak for itself” and not be interpreted.

But the days of the classic two-line factual label are fast disappearing, as both visitors and museums search for greater engagement and improved communication. And the range of resulting initiatives is ever expanding: enhanced labelling, audioguides, videos, AV consoles, trails, gallery interpreters, and many more…

Purpose
Interpreting the Art Museum aims to help encourage the provision of sensitive, effective art museum interpretation by:

  1. sharing examples of innovative and successful practice in interpreting works of art to a wide range of audiences;
  2. sharing access to the results of testing, research and analysis of specific initiatives undertaken in the field of art museum interpretation.

Submissions
We welcome international proposals for both (longer) chapters and (briefer) case studies from museum and gallery professionals, academics and researchers. Proposals from those with practical experience of assessing and evaluating outcomes in this field are particularly welcome, as are contributions which detail practical experience of innovative programmes, or which present the results of the impact of new initiatives. Submissions may be drawn from the fields of fine art, contemporary art, photography, crafts, sculpture, artists’ films etc.

Aspects of interest include - but are not limited to - one or more of the following:

  1. innovative or successful aims of interpretation 
  2. innovative or successful media of interpretation (activities, audioguides, consoles, docents, gallery guides, graphics, publications, social media, storytelling, talks etc.)
  3. innovative or successful content of interpretation (approach, delivery, style, vocabulary etc.)
  4. innovative or successful timing of interpretation (pre-visit, in-visit, post-visit, non-visit etc.)
  5. innovative or successful audience for interpretation (family, special interest, research etc.)
  6. research, analysis and evaluation of art museum interpretation programmes.