You are invited to join CAM for a one-day interpretation training workshop on June 2. Led by Jim Covel, head of interpretation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and President of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), the workshop will provide essential training in both general and cultural-history specific interpretive techniques and methods. This workshop is part of a pilot project that aims to improve interpretive standards in small- and mid-sized museums and organizations.
CAM is presenting this workshop as part of our partnership with the American Association of State and Local History (AASLH) in testing a new national program, Standards for History Museums and History Organizations. Funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the program seeks to provide organizations with information and resources to help them learn more about national museum standards. The standards program will also offer much-needed encouragement for small museums that typically operate on a shoestring budget and with few, if any, paid staff. With feedback from the current pilot phase of this project, AASLH hopes to launch a national program open to all organizations in 2009. For more information regarding this pilot project, please visit AASLH's site at http://www.aaslh.org/IncrementalStd.htm.
The California Association of Museums has signed on to be a service provider for the state of California in the current testing phase of the project. CAM has chosen to focus on the interpretive standards section, and will provide training and support to five organizations that have agreed to participate in the pilot project: Agricultural History Project, Watsonville; Eastern California Museum, Independence; Jake Jackson Memorial Museum / Trinity County Historical Society, Weaverville; Japanese American Museum of San Jose, San Jose; and the Kelley House Museum, Mendocino. Each site has committed to a self-review of their current interpretive methodology and practices, and will complete an interpretive project at their museum during the upcoming summer months.
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY
Jim Covel has worked with the Monterey Bay Aquarium for the past 20 years as the Interpretive Programs Manager and more recently as the Senior Manager of Guest Experience Training and Interpretation. He’s responsible for training over 600 staff and volunteers that share the wonders of Monterey Bay with over 1.8 million aquarium guests each year. Prior to joining the aquarium staff, Jim was on the faculty at both UC Davis and CSU Sacramento, teaching in the areas of environmental studies, recreation, and resource management. He has also worked with the National Park Service, California State Parks and several local park agencies developing and managing interpretive and education programs.
Jim grew up in Oakland, California where his father worked as one of the first park naturalists in the country. As a boy, he grew up sharing a house with raccoons, fawns, owls, bats, porcupines, skunks and other wild orphans that his father brought home. (His wife is glad the aquarium doesn’t allow him to bring fish home!)
Outside the aquarium, Jim is President of the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), providing professional development and support for over 5,000 interpreters in 34 countries. He was recently honored as the 2007 Educator of the Year by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Jim and his wife, Christine, appear throughout California at historic events as members of the Alta California Dance Company. At home he builds banjos, cabinets and furniture, and is widely regarded for raising trophy gophers in his garden.
DATE & LOCATION
Monday, June 2, 2008, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Seymour Marine Discovery Center at Long Marine Lab
La Feliz Room
100 Shaffer Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Seymour Center information and directions
REGISTRATION
The fee for participation is $40 for CAM members, and $65 for nonmembers. The registration fee includes workshop participation, morning refreshments, lunch, and additional materials/resources. Space is limited, and registrations are first come, first served. To register, complete the registration form available HERE.
