Ian McLennan is a prominent figure in the fields of science education, themed attractions, and cultural heritage, with a distinguished career spanning decades of innovative contributions to museums, planetariums, and educational organizations worldwide. As a founding member and past president of the Themed Attraction Association of Canada (TAAC), McLennan has played a central role in advancing themed entertainment in Canada and beyond, serving on the TAAC Board of Directors, as well as on its Special Events and Education Committees.
McLennan has made a lasting impact through his affiliations with numerous national and international organizations. He has served the British Columbia Museums Association (BCMA), the Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC) where he contributed to the Conference Programme Committee, and the International Planetarium Society (IPS), where he previously represented Canada and currently chairs the IPS Design and Operations Committee. As an IPS liaison for significant events such as the 2020 IMERSA and LIPS (Live Interactive Planetarium Symposium), McLennan has facilitated meaningful collaborations within the planetarium community. His dedication extends to other influential groups, including IMERSA's Full Dome Group, the Association of Science and Technology Centres (ASTC), the British Association of Planetaria (BAP), and the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA). He is also an active member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, contributing his expertise to the astronomy community.
His career is marked by numerous honors, such as the Career Achievement Award from the Canadian Association of Science Centres and the International Planetarium Society's Service Award. His work has earned him further accolades, including the New York State Governor’s Arts Merit Award, honorary fellowship with the Rochester Academy of Science, and the AMI Silver Award for audiovisual production.
McLennan’s global influence is evident in his extensive travels to over 80 countries, where he has conducted surveys and consultancies for educational and cultural attractions across six continents. His experience spans renowned world expositions from Seattle’s 1962 Expo to Shanghai’s 2010 Expo, and he has lent his expertise to attractions in countries such as the United Kingdom, Japan, Spain, and Brazil, among many others.
Beyond his professional commitments, McLennan is deeply involved in community and cultural work. He has served on the board and executive committee of SEVA Canada, working to relieve blindness in countries like Nepal, India, and Tanzania. He has held leadership roles with various organizations, including the Australia-Nepal Friendship Society, the Canadian Indonesian Society, and the Urbanarium Development Society, among others. A passionate advocate for the arts, he has supported the Judith Marcuse Dance Company, chaired the Cartwright Gallery in Vancouver, and has been involved with the H.R. MacMillan Planetarium board, the Vancouver Museums & Planetarium Association, and the International Computer Arts Society (DIGICON). He is also a board member of the Alliance of Historic Observatories.
McLennan’s personal interests in music, the visual and performing arts, amateur astronomy, creative photography, and international cultural development reflect his lifelong commitment to enriching communities through science, art, and cross-cultural understanding.
Links:
- Ian McLennan Consulting
- The Alliance of Historic Observatories