Professional Development

By Kristine McCarty
This post was written by a recipient of a Wanda Chin Scholarship to attended the 2013 Annual Meeting
 I never wanted to work in a museum.
Not that I was against it—the thought had just never occurred to me.
Almost two years ago, a position for an intern opened up at the Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) on the campus of Idaho State University. The position was a paid...
By Jonathan Bucci
This post was written by a recipient of a Wanda Chin Scholarship to attended the 2013 Annual Meeting
With generous support from the Western Museum Association (WMA) Wanda Chin Scholarship fund, I was able to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City from October 9–12, 2013. The theme of the 2013 conference was Drive On: Museums and the Future. Over the past several years...
By Heather Diamond, PhD
On April 25, 2014, the Hawai`i Museums Association (HMA) held its annual meeting and conference at the Japanese Cultural Center Grand Ballroom in Honolulu, Hawai`i. The theme of this year’s conference was Museums 20/20: Vision and Visitors. Sixty people from Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island attended. The conference was preceded and followed by optional field trips to...

The Western Museums Association (WMA) is excited to announce the opening of Registration for the 2014 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas! During WMA’s 79th convening, Las Vegas’ museums will be illuminated as we learn new skill sets and grow professionally by exchanging with our museum colleagues. Las Vegas is a place that is known for rebirth, and continues to provide new experiences. One thing is...
By Joseph Govednik
This post was written by a recipient of a Wanda Chin Scholarship to attended the 2013 Annual Meeting
For the last several years I made the annual pilgrimage to the western city hosting the Western Museums Association (WMA) Annual Meeting with great anticipation. My first exposure to the WMA Annual Meetings was back in 2007 in Oakland, where I was a graduate student at nearby...
By Emily Schmierer
This post was written by a recipient of a Wanda Chin Scholarship to attended the 2013 Annual Meeting
Emily Schmierer


The Western Museums Association (WMA) 2013 Annual Meeting, Drive On! Museums and the Future in Salt Lake City was my first professional museum conference. I am a graduate student in the University of Washington (UW) Museology graduate program, and have worked...
The Western Museums Association (WMA) provides enrichment and forums for communication and interaction to museum professionals. The Wanda Chin Scholarship program helps fund participation and travel to the WMA 2014 Annual Meeting by professionals who might otherwise not be able to attend. Scholarships are available to members of the field at the student, incoming professional and mid-career...
The Western Museums Association (WMA) 2014 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas will be here before you know it! The WMA is happy to announce the official Request for Proposals for the 2014 Poster Presentations Session. The goal of the poster session is to showcase how museums are changing perspectives and are moving to “Expect the Unexpected,” the theme of WMA 2014 Annual Meeting. This Poster Session is...
By Jessica Horowitz
This post was written by a recipient of a Wanda Chin Scholarship to attended the 2013 Annual Meeting
Jessica Horowitz


Every year, the Western Museum Association (WMA) 2013 Annual Meeting provides valuable learning experiences through its sessions and events. For me, this conference provides the chance to step back and observe the overall field and gain a greater...
By Sue Lafferty
“I made some incredible connections! I reconnected with old friends and felt great to be able to mentor the newcomers during the conference.”
“I came away with a renewed enthusiasm for a career in museums and ideas to enhance the mission of my institution.”
“I am always so impressed by the spirit of community and reflective practice you and your team are able to cultivate at these...

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