The Western Museums Association’s (WMA) Annual Meeting is known as a premier venue for those who work in the museum industry to exchange ideas and best practices, network with colleagues, and learn from each other by attending valuable sessions. Attendees come away inspired and energized about their profession. Upon returning home, they seek out opportunities to grow and further the creative culture that is the foundation of our society.
WMA 2022 Annual Meeting
WMA's 2022 Annual Meeting, in partnership with the Oregon Museums Association, will be held October, 6th-9th, 2022 in Portland, Oregon.
We are living through a perplexing moment created by the pandemic, the racial reckoning of the past two years, and political upheaval—and everyone is experiencing these challenges in different ways. To meet the increasingly complex needs of the museum field, the Annual Meeting aims to be more inclusive and participatory to address the need for learning, healing, and connecting in a safe environment. We envision a wide-ranging and varied slate of inspiring activities that directly speak to your current needs and long-range goals.
With 36 sessions, 2 keynotes, 4 evening events, 2 tours, and many new opportunities to share content with colleagues and make in-person connections,
#WMA2022 will be a fun and creative gathering of museum folk—
and members receive a discounted rate!
With the theme of FORWARD, WMA 2022 will focus on the ways museums can be adaptable, FORWARD-thinking institutions. What does it mean for a museum to be forward-thinking? What will the museum field look like in years to come? As a collective field capable of inspiring social, cultural, political, environmental, and technological change, the 2022 Annual Meeting, FORWARD, will dig into how museums can foster on-going conversations, inspire forward-thinking ideas, and empower future generations for the betterment of the museum field and our global society.
Today's museums reflect the notion of FORWARD-thinking by:
- Refining mission statements & values
- Embracing diversity, equity, inclusivity, & accessibility
- Acting as agents of social change, social justice, & activism
- Finding new methods of preserving collections
- Going Green
- Incorporating new digital technologies into exhibtions & programming
- Joining into unconventional & innovative partnerships
- Creating positive & caring work environments for all museum staff & boards
For more information including rates and safety precautions, please visit our Annual Meeting FAQ page.
2022 Wanda Chin Professional Development Scholarship is now open!
Since 1997, the Wanda Chin Professional Development Program helps to make attendance at the WMA's Annual Meeting financially accessible to individuals who might otherwise not be able to attend.
If you’re a student, EMP, or mid-career museum professional looking to attend a unique, educational, and inspiring gathering of museum people, we invite you to apply to the 2022 Wanda Chin Professional Development Scholarship!
Visit the Wanda Chin Scholarship page to learn more and apply.
WMA 2022 Awards
Every year WMA recognizes the achievements of individuals and cultural instituions with three annual awards.
Impact Award
The new WMA Impact Award celebrates a mid-career museum professional who’s leadership has had a positive effect on their museum, the surrounding community, or the museum field.
Leadership Award
The Leadership Award celebrates outstanding achievement in the museum field by a professional whose career has had a sustained, considerable, and lasting impact on museum practices.
Charles Redd Center Exhibition Award
Charles Redd Center for Western Studies Award for Exhibition Excellence honors excellence for an exhibition that furthers the study and understanding of the American West.
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