In a groundbreaking program at the Shangri-La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design, PhD student Hossein Nakhaei explored their collection of Persian luster tiles. The institution opened itself to meaningful critique as he focused on their most prized possession, a luster mihrab, one of only six in the world. Learn what happened when they connected via zoom with community members standing in front of the empty space where the mihrab once belonged.

Leaders work hard to cultivate cultures of trust, collaboration, and creativity, but who supports them? Data shows we are burning out generations of leaders in the creative sector, particularly women of color. How might we find new ways to connect, support, and ultimately thrive in this field? Join this facilitated discussion to explore what some institutions are doing to bring greater balance to their workplace and find new ways of working.

Our organizations actively engage with communities in discussions that promote critical thinking about some of the most pressing issues we face today. This presents both opportunities and challenges, especially when addressing potentially contentious topics. Learn how our institutions navigate difficult topics to facilitate thought-provoking conversations and inspire students to think critically. Brainstorm with colleagues to find curriculum links to specific topics and conversations your organization engages in.

Museums across the world are confronting the responsibility to return Indigenous belongings and ancestors. This session shares how the Museum of Us is expanding its Cultural Resources team and developing institution-wide strategies to return all holdings to their homelands while strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities. Attendees will gain perspectives on relational repair, consent-based stewardship, and institutional transformation.

This session is an examination of communication strategies used by staff at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum— a tribal institution— to navigate complex visitor interactions & offer the public a better understanding of how traditional knowledge is shared. By utilizing a step-by-step approach dubbed the "Not Quite Sure" tool to address questions that don't have a clear answer, aren't meant to be answered, or are outdated, staff are empowered to shift perspectives and facilitate more effective learning outcomes.

This session explores the many starting points that shape exhibition concept development. Through case studies of temporary exhibitions at our various institutions, we will examine projects sparked by a variety of motivations such as specific collections, community partnerships, milestones, and more. Participants will also take part in a guided, interactive exercise, developing a "big idea" for an exhibition from a hypothetical prompt while considering the mission, audience, and constraints of their own institutions.

Many museums engage youth primarily through school field trips or simple interactive activities. But what happens when young people are invited to participate as creators, collaborators, and community voices within museum spaces? This panel shares case studies from three museums of varied sizes and missions that are intentionally expanding youth engagement beyond traditional education programs. Presenters will highlight strategies that work in both rural museums with limited resources and larger institutions with dedicated youth programming.

This past year saw major exhibitions at the Guam Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, and the British Museum. Listen to Indigenous curators and community leaders share about some of the most significant museum installations in decades — from the rematriation of CHamoru latte stones, to a showcase of the political relationship between the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi and the U.K., to an overview of the complex and nuanced history of the Hawaiian Nation.

How do you engage with others in your field? Are you looking for colleagues doing similar work or help advocating for your museum? Your state museum association provides a framework of connectivity you can tap into. Every western state has an active association with a mission to help your museum thrive. Join us to explore how engaging with your state association benefits you professionally and builds a stronger community. We are stronger together.

Evaluation helps museums strengthen internal practices and remain responsive to their communities. This session introduces practical evaluation approaches that can be integrated into everyday museum work. In the first half, professional evaluators and museum staff share foundational concepts and tools they use in their own roles. The second half is an open forum where participants can ask questions, discuss current projects, and explore strategies for implementing evaluation in their own institutions.