interpretation centre
{{Short description|Type of museum}}
File:Malta Fortification Centre.jpeg in Valletta, Malta]]
An interpretation centre, interpretive centre, or visitor interpretive centre is an institution for dissemination of knowledge of natural or cultural heritage. Interpretation centres are a kind of new-style museum, often associated with visitor centres or ecomuseums, and located in connection to cultural, historic or natural sites.{{cite web|last1=Izquierdo Tugas|first1=Pere|last2=Juan Tresserras|first2=Jordi|last3=Matamala Mellin|first3=Juan Carlos, eds.|title=Heritage Interpretation Centres, The Hicira Handbook|url=http://www.diba.cat/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=63952a92-928c-4eb9-a698-587bea5cf637&groupId=99058|publisher=Barcelona: Diputació de Barcelona|access-date=August 20, 2014|date=September 2005}}{{cite web|last1=Di Puccio|first1=Francesca|title=The Fortifications Interpretation Centre: a must-visit in Valletta|url=http://www.maltainsideout.com/24307/fortifications-interpretation-centre/|website=Malta Inside Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404105625/http://www.maltainsideout.com/24307/fortifications-interpretation-centre/|archive-date=4 April 2016|date=15 December 2013}}
Interpretation centres use different means of communication to enhance the understanding of heritage. To aid and stimulate the discovery process and the visitor's intellectual and emotional connection to heritage, the main presentation strategy tends to be user-friendly and interactive, and often use scenographic exhibitions and multimedia programs. Many interpretation centres have temporary exhibitions related to a specific aspect of the site.{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Quentin|title=Exhibiting A forgotten national monument|publisher=The Malta Independent|url=http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2010-02-28/news/exhibiting-a-forgotten-national-monument-270999/|date=28 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031071128/http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2010-02-28/news/exhibiting-a-forgotten-national-monument-270999/|archive-date=31 October 2016}}{{cite web|title=Fortifications Interpretation Centre|url=https://restoration.gov.mt/en/fic/Pages/Fortifications-Interpretation-Centre.aspx|website=Restoration Directorate|publisher=Government of Malta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201214546/https://restoration.gov.mt/en/fic/Pages/Fortifications-Interpretation-Centre.aspx|archive-date=1 February 2016}}
File:Whitehorse entrance Yukon Beringia.JPG]]
An interpretation centre can be a viable solution for effective communication of heritage information in municipalities and rural areas where resources may not exist to establish a traditional, full-scale museum, and where heritage can be an important factor for tourism development.
Unlike traditional museums, interpretation centres do not usually aim to collect, conserve and study items; they are specialized institutions for communicating the significance and meaning of heritage. They work to educate and raise awareness on the site's importance. Non-core jobs as conservation and research are services usually done by specialized, external entities.