Interpreting Sports
Sports Curation and Content for Museums
90 Seconds of Useful Sports + Museum Intel
from the Folks who Wrote the Book on it Directly to You
Interpreting
Sports
Museum professionals who believe that sports history is more than a game – it reflects the core of social identity
Our goal is simple and not small –
At Interpreting Sports, we help organizations interpret sports with empathy, balanced humanity, and authentic connection
We Wrote the Book On It!
Sports are intertwined with American society. Since the earliest forms of native games to today’s extreme competitions, sports have left an indelible mark on the fabric of American culture. Today, sports are a multibillion-dollar industry. Social media provides a never ceasing outlet for community interaction surrounding sporting events and discussions. At their core, sports are an opportunity for self-exploration through the lens of competition, social structures, and community building. Interpreting Sports at Museums and Historic Sites encourages museums, historical sites and cultural institutions to consider the history of sport as integral to American culture and society.
Exhibit Curation & Programming
Do you have a sports story that needs to told? Tell us your vision and our team will bring it to reality – implementing cutting edge museum curation methods in effectively communicating a socially relevant and culturally responsive message. We can craft an exhibit or museum concept and strategic plan and see it through to the written copy ready to be mounted. Additionally or alternately, we can craft public programs to complement any sports project or theme you are currently exploring.
Museum Professionals Workshop
Take a deep dive into the theory and methods of creating balanced sports museum content that will draw wider audiences and deeper engagement. Spend the day learning and workshopping innovative ideas with fellow colleagues. Leave with concrete options to implement for your project or to generate a future exhibit or program.
Interpretation Strategy Consulting
Schedule a meeting with Founder & CEO and Interpreting Sports lead editor Kathryn Leann to learn how to create socially impactful sports interpretive materials through the lens of your specific sports interpretation topic/project.
Proud Operator of Boston Sports Tours
Learn Boston sports history by taking a walking tour through the city, stopping at historic locations, such as TD Garden and Fenway Park, and various memorialization sites, like the Bill Russell Statue in Government Center and the Boston Marathon Finish Line
Explore our upcoming events below! …Interested in hosting a workshop? Click here…
Interpreting Sports at Museums and Historic Sites Book Signing at NEMA 2024 Annual Conference
November 6, 2024
3:00 pm-3:30pm
Interpreting Sports: Changing the Game Panel at NEMA 2024 Annual Conference
November 7, 2024
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Newport, RI
Sailing Museum & National Sailing Hall of Fame
Interpreting Sports Panel at NCPH 2025 Annual Meeting
March 26-29, 2025
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Globally, sports speak to something inherently human in our cultures and ourselves.
Exploring this together in public settings transforms personal memories into collective meaning.
**Header Photo: Housatonic Museum of Art, The Making of an Icon: Walter Iooss and Sports Photography exhibit, guest curated by Interpreting Sports. Photo credit: Brandon Smith, Whiskey & Oxfords**
*** Helmet images were featured in Fashion Touchdown‘s 2014 collection, which included “48 haute couture football helmets designed by fashion designers and brands.” The helmets were auctioned in conjunction with the Super Bowl XLVIII to benefit the National Football Foundation. Read more ***
Interpreting Sports 