About VSA
VSA is today’s premier professional organization focusing on all facets of the visitor experience in museums, zoos, nature centers, visitor centers, historic sites, parks and other informal learning settings. We’re committed to understanding and enhancing visitor experiences in informal learning settings through research, evaluation, and dialogue.
VSA's members are a diverse and dynamic group of individuals including evaluators, educators, exhibit developers, designers, marketing professionals, planners, academics, and directors who share a passion for improving the quality of visitor experiences. VSA also boasts an outstanding international membership from twenty different countries.
Our Vision
The Visitor Studies Association (VSA) envisions a world where citizens embrace lifelong learning and where learning in informal settings benefits individuals, communities and society at large. VSA views the role of informal learning organizations as facilitators of these experiences and assumes that a respect for and understanding of visitors is essential.
Our Mission
VSA is an international network of professionals committed to understanding and enhancing visitor experience in informal learning settings through research, evaluation, and dialogue.
Our History
VSA was founded in 1990 and held its first conference in 1988 when a small group of research and evaluation practitioners and museum adminiatrators convened in Anniston, Alabama. Due to some dedicated work of a few individuals, visitor studies are now an increasingly accepted part of museum practice. Today, VSA has evolved into a dynamic professional organization. We are focused on meeting the growing demand for the tools and inspiration to better understand visitors, as well as best-practice strategies for how to attract, educate and serve them.
Contact Us
Sarah Cohn
Association Manager
2885 Sanford Ave SW, #18100
Grandville, MI 49418
(740) 872-0566 Phone
(301) 637-3312 Fax
Board of Directors
Visitor Studies Association would not be possible without the exceptional support of its Board of Directors.
- President - Dale McCreedy,Franklin Institute
- President-elect - Joe Heimlich,
The Ohio State University - Vice President, Organizational Development -
Dave Ucko, Museums + More - Vice President, Outreach Development - Matt Sikora, Detroit Institute of Arts
- Treasurer - Jessica Luke, University of Washington
- Secretary - Elisa Israel, The Saint Louis Science Center
- Past President - Kirsten Ellenbogen, Science Museum of Minnesota
Executive Committee
Board Members
- Marcie Benne, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (Chair, Membership Committee)
- Rick Bonney, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
(Chair, Communications Committee) - Kate Haley Goldman, Audience Viewpoints
- Laura Huerta Migus, Association of Science Technology Centers (Chair, Board Development Committee)
- Cheryl Kessler, Blue Scarf Consulting
(Chair, Professional Development Committee) - Karen Knutson, UPCLOSE
- Randi Korn, Randi Korn & Associates
(Chair, Development Committee) - Troy Livingston, Museum of Life and Science
- Saul Rockman, Rockman et al
- Jessica Sickler, Center of Science and Industry
(Chair, Conference Planning Committee) - Kathleen Tinworth, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- Mira Zergani, University of the Arts