Matt Kirchman

As a museum planner and exhibition developer, Matt Kirchman works with museum staff and administrators, architects, and designers to craft the communication and experiential aims for museums and exhibitions. With a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and an undergraduate degree in Visual Communication (Northern Illinois University), Matt's development approach places emphasis on the clarity and organization of exhibit messages, and a diversity of experiences aimed at fostering awareness, enjoyment, and memorability. In 2006 (after 20 years in the field) Matt created ObjectIDEA, an interpretive design consultancy offering facility programming, interpretive planning, and exhibition design. His clients range from social and cultural history museums, to natural history museums, science centers, zoological parks, visitor centers, and aquariums. His recent work includes planning for Walden Pond Visitor Education Center, The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, The Petersen Automotive Museum, Patriots Point Maritime Museum, and the Buffalo Bill Center for the West. Matt sits on the Leadership Council for Historic New England, is the Northeast Regional Representative for the National Association for Interpretation, and is on the Board of Directors for the New England Museum Association. He was one of two independent consultants invited by the American Alliance of Museums to help the organization identify the standards for interpretive planning that AAM may use toward evaluating museums' accreditation. Matt collects museum visits and keeps a record of each and every one. His current collection numbers over 350 museum visits from Bangkok to Boston, New Zealand to New York.