Serving on a museum board is often an aspirational but opaque goal for museum professionals. How are board members recruited and what does service entail? This moderated discussion demystifies board service from both sides, exploring pathways to participation, expectations around governance and fundraising, and the skills institutions need today. Attendees will gain practical insight into pursuing board roles and contributing to mission-driven leadership and public trust.

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.

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.

It is no secret that federal funding cuts and the actions of the current administration have the field making difficult decisions and grappling with the uncertainty of the time. As individuals, we might not have all the answers now, but we are not alone. This session invites participants to engage with the question of "what can the museum field do now and in the next two years to prepare for the unknown future?" Participants will go through asset mapping and collective brainstorming of actions – small and large – that help us ASPIRE to be prepared for what may come.