MMA Member communities are groups of MMA members that meet virtually on a regular basis around a professional development goal. All groups use Basecamp to connect and communicate and have monthly check-ins via Zoom.

Advocacy (2nd Tuesday at 1:00 pm)

We come together to share resources, strategies, and inspiration for effective advocacy. We work to raise awareness of museums as essential cultural, educational, and economic assets, amplify our collective voice, and influence policies that strengthen and sustain our institutions. We share advocacy tools and ideas with the wider Michigan museum community and promote active participation in Museums Advocacy Day, CAN Advocacy Day, and everyday advocacy efforts.

Productivity and Time Management (1st Wednesday at 1:00 pm)

We come together to learn from and support each other by creating an affirming space for both sharing resources and having conversations around productivity and time management. We appreciate the diversity of perspectives that other members bring to the group, and apply what we learn from them to our own individual situations both at work and in our non-work lives.  We don't pretend to have all of the answers, but focus on improving our skills together in a fun way.

Historic House Museums (1st Tuesday at 11:00 am)

We come together to discuss issues related to the unique challenges in operating a historic house museum. We represent a variety of types and sizes of organizations from throughout the state and focus on our common experiences to help each other. We share resources, ideas, and insight, and listen to each other to provide perspective.

Membership and Development (3rd Monday at 1:00 pm)

The purpose of the membership and development community is to be a group for those who have a role in membership and/or development in their institutions. Whether it is your primary focus or just one of many responsibilities, we will provide a forum to share resources, ask for advice, share tools and feedback, and discuss new ideas or trends within the field.

Exhibit Professionals (3rd Tuesday at 11:00 am)

We come together to share with one another our knowledge of design, accessibility, interpretation, and visitor experience, creating the foundation for high-quality exhibitions at our institution and across the field. We learn from one another’s challenges and wins, support each other’s projects, and tackle emerging topics and trends in exhibit work.

Volunteer-Led Museums (3rd Tuesday at 3:00 pm) 

We share information on topics that are often handled by trained museum staff in bigger museums, but are also critical to the success of all-volunteer museums with fewer resources and less training. Topics of interest may include things that have worked for us, areas of difficulty that we have experienced and hope that others may avoid, and decisions coming up on which we would like feedback.