Upcoming events

    • February 11, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Programming as a Third Space

    Wednesday, February 11

    2 PM


    We all know the value of third spaces: places that are neither home nor work. What is your museum doing programmatically to be a third space in your community?

    Join MMA members to share and discuss what kind of programming your institution provides that may feel like a third space for community members. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues for ideas on how to make your museum a welcoming third space! 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator and Abbie Stevens, CoLab Studio Program Manager, MSU Museum.

    • February 24, 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Preventative Conservation

    Tuesday, February 24

    11 AM


    Does your museum have a conservation department? What do you do for conservation if you don't have a dedicated conservation department? What are some preventative conservation strategies your museum institutes to help protect your collections? 

    Join MMA members to share and discuss resources, brainstorm, ask questions, problem solve, and get inspired on new & existing preventative conservation strategies. 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • March 10, 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Working With Volunteers

    Tuesday, March 10

    11 AM


    Does your museum utilize volunteers in your daily operations or events? How do you recruit, train, and retain volunteers at your organization?  

    Join MMA members to share and discuss working with volunteers at your institutions. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues on how to better your relationships with your volunteers! 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • March 25, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Working Front of House in Museums

    Wednesday, March 25

    2 PM


    Front of house jobs in museums are public-facing roles essential to providing a safe, memorable, and welcoming visitor experience. These positions include guest services roles, tour guides, security staff, food service associates, and retail associates. Do you currently or have you worked in a front of house position in a museum? What are some highlights and challenges to working a front of house position?

    Join MMA members to share and discuss front of house positions in museums. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues on the highs and lows of working front of house in museums.

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • April 08, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Understanding NAGPRA

    Wednesday, April 8

    2 PM


    The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), is a 1990 U.S. federal law requiring museums and federal agencies to return Native American human remains, funerary objects, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony to lineal descendants, tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. 

    Does your role involve identifying and processing items in your collection for repatriation under NAGPRA? Have you had any successful NAGPRA repatriations? What are the challenges you face regarding NAGPRA?

    Join MMA members to share and discuss the most recent updates to NAGPRA, share your stories, and gain knowledge and insight about how your organization can understand NAGPRA better. 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • April 30, 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: AI & Exhibit Development

    Thursday, April 30

    11 AM


    Using AI can be beneficial when used in the correct way. Recently, some museums are utilizing AI to aid in exhibit development. Have you ever utilized AI features in exhibit design? How are museums utilizing AI in exhibit development, and what are the pitfalls or challenges of doing so? How does utilizing AI in exhibit development impact visitor experience? 

    Join MMA members to share and discuss all of the ways AI can be used in exhibit development. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues on whether or not using AI in your exhibit development can be beneficial. 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • May 12, 2026
    • 11:00 AM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Strategic Planning

    Tuesday, May 12

    11 AM


    Strategic planning is an important component of museum management and operations. Without strategic planning, museums lack direction. Are you involved in strategic planning at your institution? What are the challenges of strategic planning? 

    Join MMA members to share and discuss the highs and lows of strategic planning and how your institution can prepare for efficient strategic planning sessions. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues in this open chat on strategic planning. 

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

    • May 28, 2026
    • 2:00 PM
    • MMA Zoom account
    Register

    MMA Colleague Chat: Museums as an Event Venue

    Thursday, May 28

    1 PM


    Often times, museums double as an event venue offering up a unique location to host weddings, parties, and corporate events. Does your museum act as an event venue? What are the benefits and challenges of operating your museum as an event venue? 

    Join MMA members to share and discuss the ins and outs of renting out your space for events. Share resources, collect ideas, brainstorm and get inspired by your colleagues on the topic of museums as event venues!

    Location: The MMA Zoom account. You can join via phone or internet. Instructions for connecting will be sent with registration confirmation. 

    The session will be facilitated by Natalie Pantelis, MMA Programs Coordinator.

The Michigan Museums Association is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Thank you to our Partners!


Michigan Museums Association       313-334-7643       PO Box 5246, Cheboygan, MI 49721      director@michiganmuseums.org

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