Wednesday, July 23
There are three types of conference registrations – Virtual Only, Virtual + Single Day, and Virtual + In-Person. No matter which one you selected, you have access to our “Virtual Day” of programming.
The following activities will be hosted in Zoom Webinar or Zoom Meeting. Login and dial-in information will be available to registered attendees in the conference virtual platform (Sched). Zoom’s built-in transcriptions will be provided. ASL interpretation will be made available up on request during registration.
Virtual Day programming is a collaboration between AMM, the Illinois Association of Museums, and the Iowa Museum Association. Come be our guest in the Midwest from wherever you are!
AMM Annual Business Meeting
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM CT (9:30 AM – 10:00 AM ET)
AMM Member Business
Prior to our opening sessions, AMM members are invited to join us live for our 2024 Annual Business Meeting for board election advance voting results and other announcements. (You don’t have to be a member to tune in. All are welcome!)
Opening Session
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM CT (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET)
Jane Wales
Vice President, Aspen Institute
Co-Chair, The Generosity Commission
We’re kicking off Virtual Day programming with a presentation by Jane Wales, Co-Chair of the Generosity Commission, a blue ribbon panel of social sector leaders exploring the decline in the number of everyday givers and volunteers, illuminating their role in building a resilient society, and making recommendations for increasing their numbers.
Click here to learn more about Jane.
Virtual Networking
11:00AM – 12:00 PM CT (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET)
Navigating Crosscurrents: Let’s Reflect and Regroup!
Come as you are and connect with your peers across the region! Join your peers from similar organization types and sizes in a conversation about the ripples our organizations are experiencing as a result of internal and external “crosscurrents” – our challenges and opportunities of the moment. Then, we’ll sort into breakout rooms to regroup and do a little brainstorming around the common threads. What solutions have we already tried that worked? What are ways to reframe or adapt our plans to meet these challenges?
Sponsored by Winkler Group
Concurrent Sessions
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CT (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM ET)
“Well, You’re the Expert!”: Sharing Knowledge with the Public
Museums 101
As you gain increasing knowledge about your museum and your work, you might be asked to share that knowledge with the public. In this session, experienced museum professional Donna Braden shares tips and strategies for how to successfully communicate with the public, focusing upon online content and media interviews.
Presenters: Donna R Braden, The Henry Ford
At the Helm: Guiding Museum-Goers to Expansive Experiences and Diverse Voices in Inland America
Exhibitions
Hear museum workers discuss their ongoing projects that speak to a need for diverse perspectives and stories. Trials and successes will be shared, alongside tips to finding the currents that allow museums to reach out to the overlooked diversity of our publics.
Presenters: Willow Gritzmaker, Toledo Museum of Art; Steph Adams, Erie Canal Museum
Virtual Tour
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM CT (3:00 PM – 3:30 PM ET)
Davenport School Museum
Establishing a museum for Davenport Schools was the vision of school administrators in 1960, and collecting began almost immediately. It wasn’t until 2002 that the vast collection of school memorabilia and archival records had a physical home. Join us for a virtual glimpse into the Davenport School Museum, view their unique collection, and meet the dedicated volunteers who make this slice of local history accessible for student tours, genealogical research, and more!
Concurrent Sessions
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM CT (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET)
Beyond the Walls: Fostering Museum-Community Collaborations for Lasting Impact
Education & Programs
Unity in Community! Museums have the power to be more than custodians of the past, they can be catalysts for community-driven education and empowerment. This session explores how the Field Museum’s Connections: AANHPI Stories & the TEAACH Act project amplifies AANHPI voices by co-creating PreK-12 learning experiences with local organizations.
Presenters: Ria Pretekin, Field Museum; Jamie Kelly, Field Museum; Sam Chapleau, Field Museum; Ginger Leopoldo, Circa Pintig / Center for Immigrant Resources and Community Arts (CIRCA)
Staff Up! Leveraging the skills of part-time employees to meet the needs of multiple departments
Leadership & Operations
Non-profits do more with less staff all the time. What if we could utilize the skills of part-time employees to help fulfill our mission while mentoring them and creating an atmosphere of inclusion? The Figge Art Museum is doing this. We’ll show you how to achieve success following our blueprint.
Presenters: Pamela Crouch, Figge Art Museum; Kili Alexander, Figge Art Museum
Virtual Tour
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM CT (5:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET)
Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archives
The Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archives is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying material related to the life and musical legacy of Bix Beiderbecke, an icon of the jazz age. Their exhibits and programs share the stories of Bix and his colleagues, and their vital contributions to American music. Join us for a virtual walkthrough of the museum’s fan-favorite displays and get a first look at their new permanent space in downtown Davenport.
Thursday, July 24
Pre-Recorded Sessions Q&A
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CT (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET)
Whether you’ve had a chance to watch the sessions or not, this is a great opportunity to connect with presenters of pre-recorded sessions. Panelists will be available for questions or conversation in Zoom breakout rooms. Attendees will have their choice of rooms to visit over the course of the hour.
Pre-recorded Sessions
A handful of additional sessions will be made available as recordings for access on-demand, when it is convenient for you.
“More than Not Urban”: Commemorating Rural America over 250 Years
Education & Programs
More than a date on the calendar, 1776 represents a launching point of American democracy. While not always perfect, communities of all sizes have drawn inspiration from these qualities to contribute to the American experiment. Join us to explore how your museum can support rural communities in telling these stories.
Presenters: Andy Mink, Smithsonian Institution