A Belated Valentine to the Curator of Prints and Drawings at the MFA
February 15, 2014—the day after Valentine’s Day. I had arranged to meet someone at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Our plan …
How much interpretation is too much?
Some recent museum blog posts (e.g. Mediation or interference?, Tilting at Windmills, Part Two) have discussed the appropriate amount of interpretation or mediation …
Empathy: Gratitude (Better Living through Signage, Part II)
In belated celebration of Thanksgiving, here’s an exhibit piece in which the speaker expresses gratitude and, I think, evokes it in the …
I wanted to write a post about grammar…
for people who already write well, but someone already wrote it. 7 grammar rules you really should pay attention to That post …
Better Living Through Signage, Part I
Best-selling author Daniel H. Pink has published five books about “the changing world of work,” the best known of which is probably …
The Teachable Moment (Humans Are Apes, Too!)
On a recent zoo visit, my children and I spent a long time observing and admiring the gibbons. As I coaxed them …
Vandalism or Community Engagement?
Part of the reason I write my blog is that I can’t resist editing labels. But there is clearly at least one …
Send Photos, Please
One of my favorite things to do on this blog is demonstrate a point about museum writing by rewriting an existing sign …
Answer questions… or provoke them?
My family had a deep and extended learning experience as a result of a recent visit to a small, trailside nature center. …
Alphabeasties and Other Amazing Types
I bought this book at the National Zoo shop, thinking it would be about animals and typography, so my kids and I …