“Authentic Voice / Authentic Experience”
October 10–12, 2023.
Hotel du Pont
Wilmington, Delaware
Submission form will be open to submissions until 5pm EDT, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
Museums influence who we are and how we see ourselves. In the midst of a severely polarized nation, museums are among our greatest assets in supporting democracy, showcasing identity, and promoting equality. Museum professionals provide opportunities for meaningful experiences, accurate habitats, honest debates, and first-person stories. Museums are places where people can have difficult discussions and fearlessly address past problems. They can be places of tranquility and joy that celebrate our creativity and innovation and at the same time teach us of the dark conflicts that have defined us.
As we approach the America 250 commemorations in 2026, how do we make museums more equitable and tell a full, complete and inclusive history of our country? Turning a critical lens inward, how do we change past, outdated policies? How do we create active, relevant, decolonized collections? How do we become more community oriented? How do we authentically share the difficult stories as well as the joy? What models can we share that make museums more equitable places to work? Join us for round tables, panels, workshops and tours that focus on projects both completed and in-progress as we explore our journey together.
What is the MAAM Annual Meeting?
The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums Annual Meeting is an annual conference dedicated to fostering excellence in museums by providing our region’s museum professionals with high-quality professional development, networking opportunities, and special events.
Session Selection Process
The Annual Meeting and Conference Program Committee consists of representatives from the MAAM board of directors, two emerging museum professionals, MAAM members, and a representative from our local arrangements committee. The Program Committee has several meetings to determine acceptance of sessions.
After developing the schedule for the conference, we will notify contact persons for selected sessions in June. The Program Committee reserves the right to request modifications to the submitted programs.
Important Dates:
- Late April: Call for session proposals open
- May 31: Session proposal submission deadline
- June: Program Committee reviews proposals
- June/July: Selected sessions are notified
- Early August: Release of preliminary program
Requirements:
- All session proposals are due by 5:00pm EDT on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 and will be reviewed by the MAAM Annual Meeting Program Committee.
- Sessions can be between 45–75 minutes in length and should be in an in-person format.
- Please allow time for Q&A in your session.
- Only complete submissions will be reviewed. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
- Decisions regarding the selection of sessions will be e-mailed to the session contact person by June 30, 2023.
- Industry partners are also welcome to submit proposals, but all panels must include at least one museum professional as a session chair or panelist. This can include independent museum professionals or museum professionals in transition.
- At least one person on the panel must be a member of MAAM or must become a member of MAAM before the preliminary program is released. Please click here to become a member of MAAM or contact Michelle Paulus-Baumgarten at info@midatlanticmuseums.org for more information.
- Please confirm that all of the proposed speakers are available for speaking within during the October 10–12, 2023 conference dates before submitting a proposal.
- MAAM does not provide honorariums or travel reimbursement for session presenters or moderators, however there will be a discounted registration rate available. It is your responsibility to relate this policy to potential speakers within your panel.
If you have questions about your proposal or need accommodations, let us know by emailing info@midatlanticmuseums.org
Access the submission form HERE.
