2:00 pm - 3:15 pm

Learning Format: Active Learning

Mindfulness in museums is a timely topic–from meditation programming to cultivating connections among audiences, to writing and artmaking activities, there are many opportunities for museums to provide meaningful programs that support wellness and balance for their audiences and staff. Join educators with over fifteen years’ experience for a participatory session that will include activities such as slow looking, artmaking, deep discussion, and handouts.

Learning Format: Conversation

In 2026, the United States will commemorate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. What does that mean for museums in the West? Are Indigenous, Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latino/a/x and other stories of communities often left out of history books being told? Might this be an opportunity to share them? Attendees are invited to share their perspectives, recommendations, and engage in conversation around museums and the commemoration.

Learning Format: Active Learning

The overall focus of this session is to demonstrate how collections staff and development staff can develop a true fundraising partnership. This session will help fundraisers better understand how to work closely with collections staff members to craft successful funding proposals. It will also help collections staff members communicate the community impact and visitor benefit of highly technical (and expensive) collections projects.

Learning Format: Conversation

Executive Searches can fail for any number of reasons, often due to causes out of control of the search committee. Experienced search professional Marilyn Hoffman leads a panel of failed search survivors to discuss how to turn lemons in lemonade and put lessons learned into action for an even more effective search.

Learning Format: Passive Learning

The Lahaina Restoration Foundation (LRF) stewards multiple historic sites and collections throughout Lahaina Town in West Maui, Hawai‘i. Learn about LRF’s response to the devastating August 2023 wildfire, ongoing recovery efforts for buildings and collections, and what resilience means for staff and community into the future. Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and share their own experiences.

Learning Format: Passive Learning

What is a cultural institution’s obligation and opportunity to understand the complexities of the people and places that surround it? By employing a variety of methods, including traditional data compilation and research as well as community organizing approaches such as reciprocal relationships building and old-fashioned door knocking, learn how we are understanding our neighborhood and our neighborhood is understanding us. Come for an engaged discussion where we ask tough questions and share examples of works-in-progress.  

Learning Format: Conversation

How should California’s public institutions and leaders address controversial monuments as we reckon with a legacy of injustice in public art? This panel will discuss the inherent vice of monuments, creative approaches to dealing with existing installations, and public engagement as a critical component in finding a sustainable path forward.

Learning Format: Active Learning

What is governance and what role does it play in the success of a museum and its staff?   Attendees will participate in a role-playing exercise, learn about museum governance essentials and best practices, and understand why implementing good governance practices is vital to the wellbeing of the museum and communities it serves.

Learning Format: Active Learning

Engaging in different types of play is central to how children grow their bodies and minds. Self-directed play and unstructured learning allow children to imagine and explore all senses of possibility. We will ask participants to critically think about their definition of play and their impressions of the role play plays in museum settings. In this interactive session, participants will get charged up to think differently about engaging early learners and supporting caregivers in their space.

Learning Format: Conversation

The panel will discuss their experience in creating a Memorandum of Understanding with a group of Tongva Cultural Educators. They will also explore the importance of acknowledging Tongva presence in Los Angeles and why museums across the country should create MOUs with tribes in their homelands