Knowledge + Experience + Passion =

Erin McClelland is an independent museum and interpretation professional with extensive experience in museums, historic sites and public spaces. She earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology and American Studies from the University of California, Davis, and an M.A. in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.

Erin began her career in the Historic Sites Program at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department as an intern, and in 2006, TPWD’s Interpretive Services Branch hired Erin on full-time as an Interpretive Planner. While there she developed a wide range of interpretive products, including interpretive plans for Levi Jordan Plantation State Historic Site and the historic Mission Espíritu Santo. Later, as the Senior Interpretive Planner and Project Manager, Erin headed teams on more than 20 exhibit projects, leading content development and overseeing design and installation of exhibits. These included 1,000 square feet of permanent exhibits at Battleship TEXAS State Historic Site, visitor center exhibits at Caprock Canyons State Park, and interior exhibits at historic Garner State Park.

In 2013, Erin struck out on her own. Today she collaborates with institutions of all sizes to meet their needs in interpretation, audience development, and strategic planning. Most recently, these include:

• Interpretive master planning for the National Park Service, the Texas Historical Commission, and Colton Hall Museum
• Designing and teaching workshop series on interpretive storytelling techniques, interpretive writing, and audience identification and development for the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas Association of Museums
• Exhibition development, including research, script writing, and asset management, for museums and design firms throughout Texas and the nation

Erin is deeply involved in her professional community. Her peers elected her to the Council of the Texas Association of Museums in 2010, where she served as Secretary and Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee for the organization until 2015. She is also the Chair of TAM’s Independent Professionals Affinity Group, and serves on the Internal Affairs Committee of the Austin Museum Partnership. Erin maintains active memberships in the American Alliance of Museums, American Association for State and Local History, and Museum Computer Network as well.