Join our General Session on June 2 featuring Lonnie Bunch. As part of our general session programming, join representatives from the Ford Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to explore how museums can contribute to a prosperous, just and equitable future as society struggles with intractable social, environmental and economic problems. What priorities and issues are most important to the funders of museums today and into the future. How will philanthropy become more equitable and inclusive and how will this affect the funding for all types of museums?
Generously supported by:
Agenda and Speakers
Welcome and Keynote Introduction: Arthur Affleck, AAM
Keynote: Lonnie G. Bunch III, 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution
In Conversation: Prominent Foundations Discuss Philanthropy during COVID-19 and beyond Presenters: Geoffrey Banks, MacArthur Foundation Emil Kang, Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Margaret Morton, Ford Foundation Victoria Rogers, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Moderator: Arthur Affleck, American Alliance of Museums
Explore the virtual MuseumExpo and connect with dozens of exhibitors in the field! Visit the Expo for giveaways and show specials, watch the Solutions Center Talks and Tech Talks below, and explore our Virtual Poster Hall.
Part 2: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving and Thriving as a Cultural Organization in the 21st Century11:45 AM CT - 12:15 PM CT
To remain relevant, museums must adapt to urgent cultural changes such as transforming visitor expectations, the accelerating data revolution, and the role of new technology in transforming all facets of daily operations. Added to that equation –the COVID-19 pandemic and all of its sweeping effects. Part 2 of this two-part series will discuss the following through the lens of COVID-19’s imposed “new normal”: how to cater to changing visitor expectations, younger generations, and a diverse body of constituents; best-practices for using data to track and measure goals, generate insights, and create vibrant programming; technological developments like cloud interfaces, marketing automation, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and blockchain.
Speakers
Bradley Ingles, MCA Denver
Dan Sullivan, Cuseum
Mark Sabb, Museum of the African Diaspora
Mike Simmons, Blackbaud
Penny-wise, Pound-foolish: A Toolbox of Ideas to Protect Your Museum’s Treasures11:45 AM CT - 12:15 PM CT
As you walk through galleries in your museum, have you ever attempted to guess what the total value is of all the objects on exhibit? Or identified where the highest valued objects are located? Or thought about the impact that a catastrophic event may have if it affected a portion of the museum? Drop by our session to learn more how to determine your museum's Probable Maximum Loss (PML) to ensure your institution is purchasing an appropriate insurance limit for your museum's collection. In this presentation, HTB will offer suggestions on how best to determine the right limit of insurance coverage by reviewing inventory conrol techniques, the "Top Ten" list, incoming loans(both short-term and long-term), and Probable Maximum Loss.
Speakers
Casey Wigglesworth, Huntington T Block Insurance Agency, Inc
Jeff Minett, Huntington T Block Insurance Agency, Inc
The *Right* CMS for Your Museum; Don’t Settle for Less11:45 AM CT - 12:15 PM CT
Museum expert, consultant, and author Rachael Cristine Woody will share proven practices for successfully selecting, purchasing, and implementing the *right* collections management system for your museum: a CMS that empowers staff, maximizes efficiency, impresses donors, and delights visitors—both in-person and virtual. Attendees will be inspired to pursue a CMS that offers comprehensive, purpose-built and innovative capabilities. You shouldn’t settle for anything less. And please visit Lucidea’s Virtual Exhibit Booth to get your free copy of Rachael’s latest book for Lucidea Press, How to Select, Buy, and Use a Museum CMS.
Overview of three transformative technologies. Microsoft Teams for collaboration, Power BI for rapid visualization of data, and Azure chatbots for providing customers and staff service to common questions.
Speakers
Catherine Devine, Microsoft
Concurrent Sessions 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CT
Engagement Strategies During Times of Low (or no) Attendance 12:30 PM CT - 1:30 PM CT
This session looks at how museums can engage with their audience during times of low, no, or altered (e.g. outdoor only) attendance. We will focus on three major ideas: audience outreach and engagement through digital and virtual means; a crash course on digitization and digital preservation policy as a way of engaging your audience through sharing collections; and an abbreviated guide to hosting awesome outdoor events to put your audience at ease (and allow them physical distance). The discussion, hosted by the Historic Houses and Sites Network, will look at the challenges and opportunities involved through the lens of historic sites, a mainstay of the museum landscape that provide educational experiences for all ages.
This track is generously supported by:
Speakers
Cara Seitcheck, Smithsonian Institution
Rebecca Peterson, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Zachary Wnek, Latah County Historical Society
Is That Hung White? Revisiting Issues of Race and Inclusion in Exhibitions 12:30 PM CT - 1:30 PM CT
In 2019, we got real and vulnerable about the consequences stemming from the lack of diversity and representation within the museum exhibition field. We celebrated organizations and initiatives working to change the landscape and the conversation. This year, we double down. How are conversations and actions changing around these issues, if at all?
This track is generously supported by:
Speakers
Elisabeth Callihan, Minneapolis Institute of Art
Erika Katayama¸ Formerly Museum of Man in San Diego
Joanne Jones-Rizzi, Science Museum of Minnesota
Marquette Folley, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
Stacey B. Mann, Independent
Su Oh, Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County
Measuring Social Impact for Financial Sustainability 12:30 PM CT - 1:30 PM CT
This session will unpack one museum's journey to articulate and measure their social impact. Participants will analyze and discuss the implications of adopting a theory of change, and the potential for this work to attract new kinds of support and contribute to the financial sustainability of their organization.
Speakers
Johanna Jones, Oakland Museum of California
Kelly McKinley, Bay Area Discovery Museum
Lori G. Fogarty, Oakland Museum of California
Rehana Abbas, Oakland Museum of California
Explore the virtual MuseumExpo and connect with dozens of exhibitors in the field! Visit the Expo for giveaways and show specials and explore our Virtual Poster Hall.
Concurrent Sessions 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM CT
Advocating for Museums During Times of Crisis 2:00 PM CT - 3:00 PM CT
In times of crisis, advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels becomes of radical importance in making the case for support for museums. AAM makes it easy by providing the tools and resources you need to be effective. Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned expert, a museum professional or a board member, this session will help you build your skills and understanding of your critical role in advocating for the museum field. Join us for a timely and important conversation with leaders and practitioners sharing their year-round and urgent advocacy insights and experiences.
Speakers
Celeste DeWald, California Association of Museums
Ember Farber, American Alliance of Museums
Kelly Kryc, New England Aquarium
Kippen de Alba Chu, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
Rena Tamayo-Calabrese, Naper Settlement
Let’s Make a Match: Museum Volunteers 2:00 PM CT - 3:00 PM CT
Learn how an effective application process prevents onboarding volunteers who are not a good fit for your institution. Real-life examples will demonstrate how such processes reduce turnover, save time, and strengthen partnerships by setting expectations and allowing potential volunteers to opt out of a bad match.
This track is generously supported by:
Speakers
Jane Mullins, Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Marcie Keller, Perot Museum of Nature and Science
Marne R. Bariso, Chicago History Museum
Museum-Goers & The Pandemic: New Research 2:00 PM CT - 3:00 PM CT
How can we best serve our communities when our museums are closed and what do our audiences need while physical distancing? Museums are struggling financially. Do audiences know, and are they willing to support us? When we reopen, what will visitors want us to do to make them feel safe and comfortable? To provide museums with definitive answers, Wilkening Consulting is conducting ongoing qualitative research with museum-goers and snap polling the broader U.S. population to assess attitudes toward museums, their value, and their support. Learn more about how these findings can inform how you engage your audience virtually and how to reopen with museum-goers’ interests top of mind.
Explore the virtual MuseumExpo and connect with dozens of exhibitors in the field! Visit the Expo for giveaways and show specials and explore our Virtual Poster Hall.
Concurrent Sessions 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM CT
Managing Your Museum Career through COVID-19 3:30 PM CT - 4:30 PM CT
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered unprecedented layoffs and furloughs across the globe, including in the museum field. While museums are beginning to reopen, uncertainty about the future remains high. How can individuals—whether currently employed, recently laid off, or just beginning their careers—position themselves for career growth and advancement in the months and years to come? Join experts from Koya Leadership Partners and museum colleagues for an empowering discussion about managing your career during a crisis.
Speakers
Alex Corvin, Koya Leadership Partners
Becky Beaulieu, The Florence Griswold Museum
Belinda Tate, Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts
Naree Viner, Koya Leadership Partners
Stephen Milbauer, Koya Leadership Partners
Pivoting Your Programming: Virtual and Other Unique Options for Small Museums 3:30 PM CT - 4:30 PM CT
Learn more about how small museums are continuing to connect with their audiences, even when COVID-19 forces museums to shut their doors. This session is hosted by Small Museum Administrators Committee.
This track is generously supported by:
Speakers
Ann Bennett, Laurel Historical Society
Lin Nelson-Mayson, Goldstein Museum of Design
Marjory O' Toole, Little Compton Historical Society
Rachel Regelein, Log House Museum Moderator: Janice Klein, EightSixSix Consulting
Three Models for Bridging Wellness and Museums 3:30 PM CT - 4:30 PM CT
Is there anything about our sector that has NOT changed in the last 4 months?? Museums are bridging into and out of health and wellness spaces, and COVID-19 brings fresh challenges and new approaches every day! In this session, participants will gain a theoretical base, practical framework, and updated considerations as we explore three models of wellness initiatives at science centers, inside wellness facilities and in between. Learn about creating robust experiences, special post-pandemic considerations and prospective funding possibilities.
This track is generously supported by:
Speakers
Jean Hershner, Nemours Estate
Kathleen Brown, Lord Cultural Resources
Maria Mortati, Maria Mortati Experience Design
Victoria Coats, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
Virtual Networking Events 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM CT
Career Management Networking Event4:30 PM CT - 5:30 PM CT
Get insights from your peers and colleagues about how to navigate all stages of a museum career. Curious about mid-career shifts, or how to move into leadership? Want to know how others are managing this unique and uncertain environment? This is the happy hour for you.
Hosted by: Katherine McNamee, AAM Mel Harper, National Gallery of Art
Collaborate with your fellow creators and innovators during this peer-to-peer networking event. You will be able to talk directly with your colleagues both as a whole and in smaller breakout groups. We hope to see you there!
The DEAI Happy Hour initially scheduled to take place today from 4:30-5:30 pm CT has been cancelled. After some deliberation, we feel that the format of a happy hour around DEAI does not fit the needs of the field at this time. Although we all need space to process and be in community with one another, we want to be thoughtful about how best to support all professionals in the field. It is critical that we are thoughtful about the types of discussions we have, when, and with what tone as we listen and determine how we can be most supportive. We are actively listening and will ensure that we create multiple ways for people interested in DEAI to continue to build community and talk through how the field can advance these important conversations.
A new general session, Racism, Unrest, and the Role of the Museum Field, has been added to our program for June 3 at 2 pm CT with Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, Secretary Lonnie Bunch, and Lori Fogarty.
We look forward to connecting with you during this new session and in the weeks and months to come.
Looking to expand your network and connect with other emerging professionals? This BYOB happy hour and mixer features multiple breakouts in small groups. Join us!
Hosted by: Phyllis Hecht, Johns Hopkins University Master of Arts in Museum Studies program
Generously supported by:
Hello!
Not yet registered?
We hope you join us for #AAMvirtual! Registrants receive access to all keynotes, sessions, and networking events, plus the session recordings after the end of the conference. To register, please visit our registration page linked below. Once registered, you will receive instructions and credentials to log-in. Those who register ahead of May 18, will receive login credentials prior to May 17. Those registering between May 18 and June 1, will receive login information prior to June 1. Registrations received on or after June 1, will receive their credentials within a few hours. If you have not received the instructions by May 17, please contact membership@aam-us.org.
