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Conny Graft

  • What I do, where I work

  • As a consultant in research and evaluation I work with museums, parks and nonprofit organizations to help them evaluate the effectiveness of their programs and services. Using the results of evaluation I help organizations determine how to apply the results to current and future programs. I also assist museums and nonprofits in developing measurable and meaningful outcomes for their programs and exhibits and learn how to integrate evaluation into their strategic planning. Services also include training and interpretive planning.

Positions

  • Manager, Research and Evaluation at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

  • Faculty Member at Seminar for Historical Administration

  • Director, Interpretive Planning and Support at Colonial WIlliamsburg

  • President at Virginia Association of Museums

  • Member, Resource Development Committee at Visitor Studies Association

  • More about me

  • Professional Activites include:
    *Faculty Member, Workshop on “Evaluation – Learning as we go”, Seminar for Historical Administration, American Association of State and Local History, National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1985 – present
    *Co-chair, “Visitor Voices” listserv for The American Association of State and Local History, 2010 – present
    *Member of the Program Committee for The Virginia Association of Museums Conference, 2011 – 2012
    *Member of Resource Development Committee, Visitor Studies Association, 2011 – present
    *Editor, Visitor Studies Journal, 2003 – 2009
    *Chair of AASLH Standards Committee on Audience Research, 2007 – 2008
    *Board Member, Visitor Studies Association, 1998 – 2003

Recent publications & presentations

  • "Listen, Evaluate, Respond!."   History News

    September 2007

  • "In Lieu of Mind Reading:Visitor Studies and Evaluation, Small Museum Toolkit, AASLH."   Book

    October 2011

  • "Guest Blog for The Center for the Future of Museums, AAM."   Questions our Assumptions

     2011

  • "Why Evaluation Matters for The New Jersey Historical Trust."   Key Note Speaker

     2011

  • "Engaging the Present with the Past, Small Museums Conference."   Key Note Speaker

     2011