Many communities in the country are using a strategy that focuses on culture, environmental remediation and recreation, asset-based development, and financial investment to transform neighborhoods. Museums often are a part of this strategy. Museums can support both the people and the communities around them even in the face of the challenges that present themselves. This virtual conference offers us an opportunity to look closely at how museums can help to build more successful communities and at museums that have grown as a part of community development that recognized and valued history and culture.

Here's an overview of sessions and times:

Monday, August 24, 9:30-10:30 AM

The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh’s Story of Community

Join Jane Werner, Executive Director of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and learn how over the past 20 years, the museum has played a vital role in the Pittsburgh community and beyond. From its innovative museum experiences to its block by block development, the museum’s influence is recognized as a model for the role museums can play in their region. In the book Magnetic, the Children’s Museum was cited as an illustration of what happens when museums “widen their circle of influence and enlist the help of like- minded people to help weave a strong and resilient community fabric in support of children, youth and neighborhood life.”

Monday, August 24, 10:40-11:30

Office Hours with PA Museums

Join Board Members and Staff from PA Museums to continue discussion about the conference session, talk about what you need from your statewide association, tell us what is happening at your organization, ask questions, or discuss other issues related to museums or historical organizations in Pennsylvania.

Tuesday, August 25, 9:30-10:45 AM

Good Trustee, Bad Trustee: Recruit, Engage, and Empower the Best Leaders for Your Museum Board

Tuesday, August 25, 10:40-11:30

Office Hours with PA Museums

Join Board Members and Staff from PA Museums after the morning session with special guest, Chad Barger. Chad will initiate and guide a discussion about mid-pandemic fundraising trends with tips from his tool chest. Share how your fundraising efforts are going, and learn from what others are doing.

How Culture Saved the Steel City

Join Maxwell King, President, Pittsburgh Foundation, as he speaks to Pittsburgh’s latest renaissance. Learn how the city has come together over the last 30-40 years with an emphasis on its strong base of cultural assets.

Wednesday, August 26, 10:40-11:30

Office Hours with PA Museums

Thursday, August 27, 9:30-10:45 AM

Documenting Communities in the Museum

Thursday, August 27, 10:40-11:30

Office Hours with PA Museums

Friday, August 28, 9:30-10:45 AM

Telling an Inclusive Story: Preserving and Sharing Disability History

Friday, August 28, 10:40-11:30

Office Hours with PA Museums

PA Museums' Accessibility Excellence Project Manager, Jenny Angell, will be available along with Board members to discuss our project, answer questions, and connect with our conference attendees.


A complete description of sessions and speakers is available here.

PA Museums will honor registrations for our postponed April 2020 Conference for our Virtual Conference as well as our 2021 Conference as a thank you for the support of those who registered in the midst of the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Sessions will be conducted via GoToMeeting. Links to events will be shared with a confirmation email to the address associated with your registration.

PA Museums is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment that is free of bias and intimidation. In keeping with federal laws, state laws, and non-profit best practices, PA Museums expressly prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, body size, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran, or any other protected classification. By registering for our program, you are acknowledging PA Museums' Code of Conduct.

Our Virtual Conference is "Pay What You Wish," and the minimum donation for registration is $1.00.  We invite you to donate before, during, or after the conference at this link. We appreciate your support for our conference.