Small Museum Association Conference 2023

Hear a special greeting from Visit Wilmington to kick off the first full day of the conference.

Read their welcome letter here.

Bidding will close for the Silent Auction at 8 pm on Tuesday, February 21.

Being a small museum person is a mindset. We pride ourselves on being determined, nimble, and thrifty. But for too long, we’ve also been, overworked, under-compensated, and treated poorly as a regular part of our day-to-day work.

Many small museum professionals started in the field because we believed in the power of history and the important role small museums can play in creating better communities. Because of our belief in the importance of the mission, we have rarely stopped to consider what we ourselves need to continue doing the work in a sustainable way. Post-2020, we’re all looking at our work lives with new eyes. Museum professionals are no different. We are nimble, thrift, and determined. Why not use those superpowers for our own well-being?

This keynote session will challenge small museum folks–paid staff, volunteers, board members, and funders lead the way in finding a new path where caring for those who do the work is a top priority.

Have a break and caffeinate in the resource hall!

Join us for lunch as we recognize the winner of the previous evening's Battle Decks, this year's scholarship recipients, and new SMA board members. There will also be a presentation from the President and Treasurer about SMA. Be sure to attend lunch because we will be raffling off a free registration to the 2024 conference!

Join us for a cocktail hour before the banquet! The cash bar will serve selections of beer and wine and will accept both cash and credit cards.

Don't miss the cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30!

The banquet program includes recognition of this year's award recipients, a silent auction, and a preview of the 2024 conference.

The banquet is included with both the full and Tuesday registrations and is available as an add-on.

From member votes to media trainings, from cough drops to rain ponchos, during the historic 19-day strike of Philadelphia Museum of Art Union workers we had to learn how to create a culture of care for ourselves on all levels. In addition to winning a fair contract, we also cultivated practices for non-hierarchical, shared leadership and collective care that can be implemented not only in labor organizing, but also in the day-to-day work of museums, whether unionized or not.