Professional Associations and Networks
Organizations and associations around the world offer interpreters networking opportunities to exchange ideas and fine tune their skills. Click here to return to the chapter menu.
National Association for Interpretation (http://www.interpnet.com/)
The Association of Interpretive Naturalists (AIN) and the Western Interpreters Association (WIA) were organized groups created in the 1960s to provide training and networking opportunities for natural and cultural history interpreters in non-formal settings such as parks, nature centers, zoos, museums and aquaria. In 1988, the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) was formed from the two existing organizations (AIN and WIA). NAI’s mission is to inspire leadership and excellence to advance heritage interpretation as a profession.
Interpretation Canada (http://www.interpscan.ca/)
A volunteer-run association of contributing members with a focus on professional development. IC members enjoy many wonderful programs. For example, their print journal InterpScan was recommended as "one of the best professional interpretation periodicals anywhere" by US author and professor Sam Ham in 2005, writing to interpreters in the UK. More than 500 members participate. Canadian interpreters first gathered in 1973 to establish the organization that would become IC. Their ultimate goal is to share current good practice and enhance the development of practice and theory in our field.
Interpretation Australia Association (http://www.interpretationaustralia.asn.au/)
A national membership-based organization dedicated to the advancement of the profession of heritage interpretation. IAA was formed in 1992 to share issues and ideas, improve professional standards and raise the profile of heritage interpretation as a profession. It currently serves more than 400 members in Australia, New Zealand and other countries.
Interpretation Network New Zealand (http://www.innz.net.nz/)
A network of interpreters that share best practices and foster professional standards in heritage interpretation. The membership includes guides, designers, contractors, writers, researchers, rangers, curators, volunteers, eco-tourism operators, students, teachers, trainers, and display and exhibit technicians.
Interpret Europe (http://www.interpret-europe.net/)
An international network of individuals dealing with the interpretation of Europe’s environmental and cultural heritage. The network was set up in the year 2000 as an informal coordination body in order to support and initiate interpretive activities Europe-wide. Interpret Europe is implemented through the Network Secretariat in Freiburg.
Association for Heritage Interpretation (http://www.ahi.org.uk/)
Started in 1975 as the Society for the Interpretation of Britain’s Heritage, the organization now has a membership of over 500 interpreters from around the world. The group works to encourage excellence in interpretation, facilitate discussion and exchange of ideas, support a wide range of organizations in their service to visitors, and develop and recognize best practices.
International Council of Museums (ICOM)-Committee for Education and Cultural Action (CECA) (http://ceca.icom.museum/)
An International Committee of ICOM with nearly 1,000 members coming from about 70 countries. Members are professionals working in different sectors of the museum field as educators, curators, professors, communication agents, or interpreters interested in education and cultural action applied to a particular sort of heritage.
Interpret Scotland (http://www.interpretscotland.org.uk/)
An interagency initiative between Scottish organizations concerned with heritage interpretation. It was begun in 1997 and its key aims are to improve the quality and quantity of interpretation in Scotland, promote the coordination of interpretation at local and strategic level, and share resources, expertise and experience.
Asociación para la Interpretación del Patrimonio (The Association for Heritage Interpretation) (http://www.interpretaciondelpatrimonio.com/)
Based in Spain, this is a nonprofit association that promotes professional development and enhances technical performance in interpretation. It encourages the development of training programs for specialists in the field and promoting the publication of texts and documents relating to the interpretation.
Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) (http://www.alhfam.org/)
A U.S. national organization that enables its members to make history a valuable part of the lives of museum visitors. It achieves this purpose through the exchange and sharing of ideas, information, tools, and experiences centered around accurate, active, participatory, object-based historical interpretation.
