VAM President's Message
Together Again!
It feels great to say that, together again! In early July, the VAM Council held our annual retreat in beautiful Farmville, VA. This was made even more special because this was our FIRST in-person Council event since March 2020. It was good to reconnect with old friends, colleagues and make new friendships. Though retreats are a lot about social interaction, we had a very busy two days.
Thanks to our VAM staff, Council and most importantly you our members, VAM is on a strong foundation. Though still cautious in our approach due to the unforeseen impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are very optimistic. The Council feels very strongly that VAM should be setting the standard for the museum field and in our process to write our new strategic plan, we will continue to be an organization that seeks to help our members be the best museums in the country (and already know that Virginia museums ARE the best in the country!).
To that end, the VAM Council voted to dedicate up to $15,000 for our Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Task Force, including an outside contractor to help us assess our organization and how we can assist all our members reach new audiences and provide enhanced museum experiences. We are also very excited to launch our new “Community Conversations: Facing Challenges in the Museum Field.” This has started with our virtual peer group chats, then will feed into in-person regional charrettes across Virginia. Our goal is to hear from our members about the challenges museums are facing today so that we can help you respond to them.
We look forward to hearing from YOU and please make every effort to share your thoughts. We know each museum is facing different challenges and we want to be inclusive in how we assist all our museums and members to find solutions to these challenges. Virginia’s museums are resilient, we have seen that in the past year. I have no doubt moving forward VAM and our entire Virginia community will continue to lead the nation. Finally, we look forward to being TOGETHER again soon!
Rob Orrison
President
VAM Members Group
Have you joined our new Facebook Group Page for members only? Members are sharing articles, asking operational questions, advertising upcoming events, and sharing COVID protocols at their museums. Come join us and add to the conversation!
Don't Forget!...
Don't forget to pay your VAM membership dues. To see if you have an open invoice, login to your VAM account. If we can be of any assistance, contact VAM's Membership and Development Manager, Rebecca Guest. Thank you! |
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Help Plan VAM 2022!
Join us in Richmond in 2022! For our annual conference, we are planning to be back in person, at the Omni Richmond. Save the date now for March 5th to 8th, 2022.
Conference planning is underway. There's still time to join the Program or Local Arrangements committee. For additional details, contact VAM’s Director of Communications and Programs, Christina Newton.
Community Conversations Focus Groups
VAM is excited to announce an initiative that will engage the Virginia museum community to help address challenges facing the field. The process will continue this month with a series of virtual facilitated focus groups that will offer members an opportunity to share various perspectives to help determine pressing needs in the field and what support VAM may provide to meet those needs.
RSVP to join us during one of the upcoming dates in August that best meets your position or interest. These conversations will be held during our regular 3:00 PM ET peer group chat times.
Upcoming Events
Register now to join us for our first in-person workshop of the season, next happy hours, and a free collections care webinar featuring the VMFA!
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Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art Refreshes Brand
The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art is refreshing its brand with a new logo, website and updated mission and vision statements. The foundation of the refresh is a refined mission statement that captures both what Virginia MOCA is today as well as where it plans to focus in the future.
National Trust Awards $3 Million in Grants to Help Preserve Black History
The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced more than $3 million in grants to sites and organizations through its African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund. Congrats to Fort Monroe Authority and Hampton University Museum for receiving grants through this program.
Richmond Museums are Being Transformed
Glavé & Holmes Architecture is involved as the architect for ongoing museum projects in the City of Richmond; including the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, the Science Museum of Virginia, and the Valentine.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Announces $190 Million Expansion
The VMFA has announced plans for a 200,000-square-foot renovation and expansion expected to cost more than $190 million. Work on the project is projected to be completed in 2025.
Library of Virginia 2021 People's Choice Awards Voting
The Library of Virginia is conducting its annual People’s Choice Awards to give readers an opportunity to share their enthusiasm for favorite works by Virginia authors and about Virginia themes. Winners are chosen by votes from the public. You have until August 31, to vote. Vote here. |
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Congratulations to Patrick Patrong for joining the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts as its new Chief Diversity Officer, Assistant Deputy Director for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion and HR Strategic Initiatives. Patrong comes to the VMFA with more than 25 years of experience as a public service leader.
Congrats to Dr. Jeremy Scott Hoffman for becoming the new David and Jane Cohn Scientist at the Science Museum of Virginia. Dr. Hoffman's community-centered urban heat island and redlining research has received acclaim from the scientific community and international media attention.
Cheers to Lane Guilliams for joining the Menokin Foundation as its new Director of Development. She previously worked in a development role at Wilton House Museum.
Congrats to Laura Huerta Migus for joining IMLS as its new Deputy Director, Office of Museum Services. Huerta Migus comes to IMLS from the Association of Children's Museums, where she served as Executive Director.
Cheers to the new Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Derek Aday. Aday previously worked at North Carolina State University.
Congrats to Dr. Alexis Harvey for joining the Education & Outreach team at the Library of Virginia.
Congratulations to Travis McDonald on receiving the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UVA School of Architecture. McDonald is the Director of Architectural Restoration at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.
Congrats to Alexandria Miller for joining Clarke County Historical Association as its new Suzanne McKown Education Coordinator.
Farewell to John Wells, Director of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Wells is retiring after 17 years in this position.
Farewell to Taylor Coumes, the previous Suzanne McKown Education Coordinator at Clarke County Historical Association. Taylor has accepted a teaching position in her community.
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Museum Learning Hub Webinars
Join National Association for Museum Exhibition Southeast Region Community on Slack
Do you find yourself not knowing where to turn to find information when it comes to exhibit planning and design? Try the free National Association for Museum Exhibition (NAME) Southeast Region Slack Workspace and connect with industry experts, colleagues, and other institutions in our region. Use this link to join the Slack Workspace. |
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Get Deals on the Right Supplies
As a member of VAM, you have access to discounted contract pricing wherever business takes you through Office Depot. Your discount never expires and can be used for personal, school or business purchases such as ink, toner, paper, and cleaning and classroom supplies!
Find all the essential items you need to keep running as efficiently as possible. With free next-business-day shipping, we make sure you have what you need, when you need it.
More Ways to Save:
- Receive exclusive limited time offers by texting VAMSPC to 833-344-0228.
- Get 10% off a qualifying purchase of $10 or more with code: 93563230. Offer only valid online through 9/17/2021.*See terms and conditions for details.
To see other promotions from VAM Business members, visit our Member Discounts page!
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NEA Offers Relief Funds to Help Arts and Culture Sector Recover from Pandemic
The National Endowment for the Arts is announcing programs to distribute American Rescue Plan funds. Arts and culture organizations can request up to $150,000. Applications are due August 12, 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
Virginia Humanities SHARP Grants
Virginia Humanities will be distributing more than $900,000 in funds from NEH to museums, historic sites, and cultural institutions across Virginia affected by the COVID-19 health crisis. Humanities-focused nonprofit organizations based in Virginia that are facing financial difficulties are eligible to apply. Applications are due August 16, 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation Fund
The Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation Fund supports not-for-profit programs and projects including local education and cultural organizations. Applicants located in the Counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford and the City of Fredericksburg can apply. Applications are due by August 16, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET. To learn more and apply, click here.
Collections Assessment for Preservation
The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation is excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2021 Collections Assessment for Preservation program with a deadline of September 15, 2021. Participating institutions receive support for a general conservation assessment from a qualified collection and building assessor. To learn more and apply, click here.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Grants
NEH Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants
The National Endowment for the Humanities Challenge Grants program aims to help institutions secure long-term support for their core activities and expand efforts to preserve and create access to outstanding humanities materials. The program funds two distinct types of projects, Capital Projects and Digital Infrastructure. The program awards up to $750,000. Applications are due September 28, 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
IMLS Inspire! Grants for Small Museums
Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is a special initiative of the Museums for America program. Inspire! has three project categories: Lifelong Learning, Institutional Capacity, and Collections Stewardship and Access. Award amounts will be $5,000–$50,000. Applications are due November 15, 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
Recordings at Risk Grants
Recordings at Risk is a national program administered by the Council on Library and Information Resources to support the preservation of rare and unique audio, audiovisual, and other time-based media of high scholarly value through digital reformatting. The program is generously funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Grant amounts are $10,000–$50,000. Applications are due December 15, 2021. To learn more and apply, click here.
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Prepare for Summer Camp Season
It's summer camp season! To help you prepare, the CDC has released new guidance to give you the most up-to-date recommendations on how to operate camps, which provide valuable opportunities for youth in all of our communities.
Click here to learn more about how to safely operate summer camps.
What's Next for Museums?
Museums are at the heart of our cultural lives: they are where we go to learn and gather collectively. But the pandemic has restricted access to these spaces, and national conversations around equity are asking museums to reckon with where their collections came from, who they represent, and who has access to them.
Watch this presentation from Chicago Humanities for a conversation about how museums will shift and change as we move into a new stage of the pandemic and come back together in public spaces.
VCA Webinar: The Arts are Open for Business - Guidance and Best Practices for a Safe Reopening
Our friends at the Virginia Commission for the Arts recently held a webinar to review the latest guidance on capacity, safety, health and sanitization, as well as planned and best practices for patron and event management. The resources are available for free online.
Download the FAQs & Resources, here. Download the Slideshow, here.
COVID-19 Resources
VAM is continually monitoring COVID-19 related information and resources of benefit to the museum and nonprofit sector. Please visit our website various resources pages for the following assistance, plus more.
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First Female Chief of Stratford Hall Ready to Further Expand Lens of Site's History
Stratford Hall, the home of Robert E. Lee and brothers who signed the Declaration of Independence, has a new leader who’s the first woman to ever hold the job. Meet Karen Daly. Read the full article.
Security Guards to Curate First-of-Its-Kind Exhibit
The Baltimore Museum of Art’s newest guest curators are not who you might expect. Seventeen of the museum’s security officers are set to curate an exhibition titled, “Guarding the Art." Read the full article.
Challenging and Complex Year Inspires Record Growth in Giving
The events of 2020, the pandemic, the recession and the social and political movement toward racial justice, have affected every aspect of our lives. Charitable giving is no exception. It is remarkable and definitely worth celebrating that 2020 was the highest year of charitable giving on record. Read the full article.
Museums Can Renew America Through the Semiquincentennial
In 2026 and the years leading up to it, the Semiquincentennial anniversary of our founding will be the center of public conversation and activity, presenting a huge opportunity to museums and other history organizations. Read the full article.
Nonprofit ‘Salary Secrecy’ Targeted in the Name of Pay Equity
Organizations are facing pressure to be transparent about pay, particularly when hiring. Making salaries public could help close gender and racial pay gaps and end wage discrimination. Read the full article.
Charlottesville’s Confederate Statues Removed from City Parks
Charlottesville’s statues of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson are gone from their public parks. Read the full article.
US Zoos Giving Special Animal Coronavirus Vaccine
The Oakland and Denver zoos will be among the first to start vaccinating tigers, bears and other mammals susceptible to coronavirus infections with a new animal Covid-19 vaccine. Read the full article.
Thousands of Pages Documenting Slavery Found in Attic of Eastern Shore House
About 2,000 pages of historical documents related to the lives of free and enslaved Black Americans from the 1600s to 1800s were discovered in the attic of a house in Maryland. Read the full article. |
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Search VAM's Career Center for information on the only certificate in museum management offered by a museum association, plus resume review help, job listings, and more.
- Accounting Clerk
- Curator of African American History and Special Projects
- Director of Education
- Director of Museums
- Major Gifts Officer
- Marketing & Programs Manager
- Visitor Services Assistant
- Visitor Services & Retail Manager
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The Virginia Association of Museums helps our museum community succeed. |
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