Heritage Interpretation was developed in 2017 by Sarah Oswald (the Authentic Spark) in a partnership between GEM and AHI. The online course brings together heritage learning and interpretation professionals to share practice, ideas and approaches, and work through the challenges we mutually face. GEM and AHI continue to work together to develop CPD for the heritage sector that supports the multi-faceted roles and skillsets growing in the workforce. If there is anything you would like to see this partnership working on, contact [email protected] or [email protected].

Who is it for?
This course is aimed at professionals with responsibility for planning, delivering or managing learning programmes or interpretation across the heritage sector. It is flexible to the individual needs of the participant, supporting those already involved in interpretation and looking for ways to improve or build upon their practice, and providing essential skills and knowledge for those new to the field.

Who runs the course?
The course director is Sarah Oswald. Sarah is a creative coach with over 20 years’ experience in heritage interpretation, which she shares as the course director for Heritage Interpretation. She has worked in consultancy, on projects large and small, and in community heritage and loves to use that experience to help coach, mentor and train others in the sector.

When & where is it?

This virtual course will take place over 6-weeks and will be run online through a series of virtual lectures, ‘at home’ activities, and a participatory discussion forum. Participants are highly encouraged to take part in the live lectures, but there will also be a possibility to engage with the recorded sessions afterwards.

The course will be a mix of discussion and sharing of perspectives and experiences, practical working individually and in small online groups and some presentation of theory by the course director.

Course fee?
It is £125 for GEM and AHI members and £160 for non-members.

Dates and times
Wednesday, 9th Sept – 10.00 – 11.30 (FULLY BOOKED)
Wednesday, 16th Sept – 10.00 – 12.00 (FULLY BOOKED)
Wednesday, 23rd Sept – 10.00 – 12.00 (FULLY BOOKED)
Wednesday, 30th Sept – 10.00 – 12.00 (FULLY BOOKED)
Wednesday, 7th Oct – 10.00 – 11.30 (FULLY BOOKED)
Wednesday, 14th Oct – 10.00 – 11.30 (FULLY BOOKED)

How to apply?
To apply for this course, please download a Heritage Interpretation 2020 booking form, fill it in and email it to [email protected].

Got a question?
To find out more, please download the course brochure.

Freeman Tilden, the “father of interpretation” believed that interpretation is an art, but one which can be taught. We will share the skills of this “art” and explore Tilden’s other principles of interpretation through hands-on learning. You will discover the background and context for interpretive theory and be supported to put it into practice in a meaningful way.

“It was my first online course and I really enjoyed it. I think I got more out of it than I would have had it been delivered over one day as originally proposed. The structuring over 6 weeks allowed time for reflection and for our ideas to develop.” – Past participant

This course was developed in 2017 in partnership with the Association for Heritage Interpretation with thanks to Arts Council England funding.