The PA Museums Annual Conference offers museum professionals an interactive forum for the exchange of ideas, professional networking and discussion of trends in the museum field. The event is an excellent opportunity for professionals to reconnect and recharge as well as learn from colleagues.
Pennsylvania’s museums faced daunting challenges in 2020. As we work in 2021 and into the more distant future, we know there will be more obstacles to navigate and more changes to come. With new tools and discoveries, visitor expectations shift. People who work in museums – staff, trustees, volunteers, interns, donors, and contractors – bring with them a level of devotion and a willingness to put the museum and its future first. Still, service is central to our museum missions.
As technology, scholarship, activism, and member needs move us ahead, how can our museums continue to serve their communities? How can museum leadership and practice, embrace, support, and reward the value of service?
PA Museums is offering 3 tiers of registration. We are doing this to ensure access to conference content to the largest number of people as possible.
$10--Covers your registration for the conference
$25--Covers registration for the conference and supports PA Museums program development
$50--Covers registration for the conference and greatly supports PA Museums program development
Speakers, sponsors, and students may register at no charge. Please email Rusty Baker, Executive Director, to receive your registration code.
Sessions will be conducted via Zoom. 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.
Monday, April 19th
9:30 - 10:30 AM
PA Museums Annual Meeting
All of our registered conference attendees are welcome to join us for our Annual Meeting. There will be a brief annual business meeting of PA Museums with reports from the organization’s officers and Executive Director. Hear about PA Museums’ accomplishments in 2020 and plans for the coming year.
Welcome and Call to Order – Richard Burkert, President
Recognition of Quorum – Ben Neely, Secretary
President’s Report
Executive Director’s Report – Rusty Baker, Executive Director
Treasurer’s Report – George Brzezinski, Treasurer
Nominating Report – Bonnie Shockey, Nominating Chair
Presentation of the slate of nominations to the Board
Adjournment – Richard Burkert
Monday, April 19th
10:45 - 11:45 AM
Institute of Museum and Library Services 2022 Funding Opportunities
This session will provide participants with an overview of museum funding opportunities offered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). As the nation’s primary source of federal funding for museums, IMLS administers six grant opportunities and two assessment programs that are available to Pennsylvania museums. An IMLS staff member will share detailed information about each program and tips for preparing a more competitive application for the next museum grant application deadline on November 15, 2021.
Presenter: Mark Isaksen, , Institute of Museum and Library Services
Monday, April 19th
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Happy Hour History Hunt at Home!
Just because we can’t get out to see Pennsylvania history and culture doesn’t mean we can’t experience it! Join your peers for a fun filled scavenger hunt from the comfort of your own home. In each round your hunt MC will give you a specific type of artifact to find from your own personal collection and bring back to the group for a show and tell. Whoever finds the most will win a prize! Bring a drink and your wanderlust for this hour long chance to unwind with collogues!
This program will be hosted by PA Museums Board Member Kevin Schott, Associate Director for Interpretive Programs at the Penn Museum.
There will be a prize for the winner of our scavenger hunt! The Centre County Historical Society has provided PA Museums with a Birthplace of Penn State Gift Box and will ship this prize directly to the victor!
The Gift Box is valued at $90 and contains:
1. Book: The Centre Furnace Story: A Return to our Roots
2. Book: Arcadia PostCard History Series: Penn State University
3. Stocking Stuffer Cookie Cookbook
4. Centre Furnace Mansion blank greeting cards (pack of 4 with envelopes)
5. Pewter Centre Furnace Stack ornament by Jerry Jackson
6. Centre Furnace Mansion holiday mug
7. Cotton holiday themed facial mask
Tuesday, April 20th
9:30 - 10:30 AM
Keynote Address: What is America250PA?
In 2018, U.S. Congress named Philadelphia as one of five priority cities of celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary in July 2026. In turn, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, our legislative body, and Governor created the Pennsylvania Semiquincentennial Commission (America250PA). This Commission, including academic, business, and community leaders from across Pennsylvania, joined together to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present and future. For more information, please visit www.America250PA.org.
Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director, America250PA
The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA) selected Cassandra Coleman as Executive Director for the America250PA initiative in September, 2019. Cassandra Coleman most recently served as Special Advisor to the Office of Governor Tom Wolf, and previously served as Director of Governor Wolf’s Northeast & Central offices. In this role, she was responsible for intergovernmental and constituency services on behalf of the Governor in 28 counties. Ms. Coleman previously served as Finance Director and Deputy Campaign Manager, respectively, for the Tom Wolf for Governor campaign from 2013-2015. She has also served as Deputy Finance Director for United States Senator Bob Casey from 2010-2013.
Tuesday, April 20th
12:30 - 2 PM
Saying Yes to Digital Programming
Digital programs have become part of all aspects of museum programs, exhibits, and education but creating quality programs often feels overwhelming for smaller museums. Learn the value of saying “YES!” to Facebook Lives, program/exhibit videos, and virtual resources for visitors while uncovering how to use some basic and inexpensive tools that will elevate your content. In this session, the experience of Pottsgrove Manor will be used to discuss the successes and learning moments during 2020 which saw massive development and expansion of quality digital resources for in-person tours as well as their social media and web presence.
Panelists will highlight learning about how to best utilize digital tools at small museums, with a focus on developing digital programs that are mission focused. Participants will be encouraged to change to a mindset that explores what an event can be as a digital event over just digitizing an existing program. Beyond tips and tricks, the learning benefits of including digital aspects into programming as well as your institutions reach to the public will be emphasized.
Presenters:
Neil Hobbins, Historic Site Supervisor at Pottsgrove Manor
Neil is the Historic Site Supervisor at Pottsgrove Manor. Prior to joining the staff at Pottsgrove Manor, he served as an Executive Director and Educator at historic sites in southeastern Pennsylvania. Neil focuses on how to continue and constantly improve upon the educational mission at Pottsgrove Manor.
Ann Shipley, Museum Educator at Pottsgrove Manor
Ann is the Museum Educator at Pottsgrove Manor, starting there shortly after earning her MA at Villanova University and working at Valley Forge NPS. She has been part of the creation of mission focused programs and events alongside revamping the museum’s school programs.
Wednesday, April 21
10 -11:30 AM
Leveraging Your Strengths to Grow Virtual Audiences
In 2020 the Penn Museum presented several successful live virtual events for adult audiences, including Ancient Alcohol After Hours: A Virtual Tour and Beer Tasting, and Monsters, Myths, and Legends: Spirits and Storytelling. This panel, which relates broadly to visitor engagement in the time of COVID, discusses the challenges and triumphs our teams experienced while reimagining existing in-person tour content into virtual programs that entertain, educate, and expand museum audiences. Steps in this process include content and interactive development, partnerships with external organizations, marketing, and program evaluation.
Amanda Grady, Group Sales Manager, Penn Museum
Amanda Grady is a marketing professional with a background in cultural tourism and sales. In her role as the Group Sales Manager at the Penn Museum she oversees adult group visits, domestic and international tourism initiatives, and co-manages the Graduate Guide program. With a Marketing and Communications degree from Rowan University, Amanda has applied her analytic skills and data driven decision making at the Penn Museum in order to increase attendance and strategically grow revenue.
Dr. Sarah Linn, Research Liaison, Penn Museum
Sarah Linn is the Research Liaison at the Penn Museum, where she runs programs that serve both the Penn community and Museum visitors. She is particularly interested in making archaeological and anthropological research accessible to the public through engaging interpretive programs and exhibitions. Managing programs like Graduate Guides and the Daily Dig, she works closely with graduate students in related disciplines to become better public educators. Sarah started at the Penn Museum while completing her PhD in Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she specialized in Aegean Bronze Age archaeology.
Lizzie Oakley, Content Provider, Penn Museum; PhD Candidate (Anthropology), University of Pennsylvania
Lizzie is an anthropologist who studies scientific knowledge construction and communication in American museums. During the course of her fieldwork, she has visited 30 museums across the country and has collected visitor and staff perceptions of science at museums in Philadelphia. At the Penn Museum, Lizzie is able to engage her interests in archaeology and museum education by writing and presenting Daily Dig programs, museum tours and object lectures, as well as collaborating to create and narrate the virtual Monsters, Myths, and Legends events. She is also currently on the curatorial team for the Penn Museum’s forthcoming exhibit on human evolution.
Janelle Sadarananda, Content Provider, Penn Museum; PhD Candidate (Mediterranean Archaeology), University of Pennsylvania
Janelle is an archaeologist studying the production of Archaic Greek pottery. Her fieldwork has taken her to Italy, Turkey, and Greece. In addition to research, Janelle serves as registrar and collections manager for the Eastern Boeotia Archaeological Project. At the Penn Museum, Janelle has worked to create the virtual Ancient Alcohol After Hours events and hosted the live events. She also works with the Penn Museum as an International Classroom educator, and worked in the Learning and Public Engagement department on a collections management
Wednesday, April 21
12:30 - 2 PM
Accessibility Excellence: Developing A New Toolkit to Serve Visitors with Disabilities (or, How To Pilot A Project in A Pandemic)
Join staff from Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums, PA Museums, and partners from regional Centers for Independent Living for a candid roundtable discussion about measuring and improving accessibility in museums. This team has developed a new accessibility toolkit and is currently testing it at historic sites and museums across the state of Pennsylvania. They will be discussing the challenges, successes, and adaptations they have experienced in the pilot phase of the project. The session will also include information about how you can use this toolkit to support accessibility at your own organization once it launches to the public.
Jenny Angell, Project Manager, Accessibility Excellence, PA Museums
Jenny Angell is Project Manager for the Accessibility Excellence project, an IMLS National Leadership Grant for Museums partnership between PA Museums and the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission’s Bureau of Museums and Historic Sites. This 2-year project aims to design and implement a methodology and toolkit to help museums improve accessibility for traditionally marginalized communities. Previously, she was an Associate Educator at the Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit, MI) and was part of a cross-departmental team working to improve museum accessibility for visitors with disabilities. She also served for 2 years as founding Vice Chair of the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility (MACA). Jenny holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art & History from St. Lawrence University (Canton, NY) and completed her MA thesis in Arts Administration & Policy at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago on interpreting artists’ homes and studios for visitors who are blind or have low vision.
Janet Bowen, 21st Century Museums Educator, Pennsylvania Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums
Janet Bowen, MLS, works for the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) in support of the Bureau of Historic Sites & Museums to advance 21st Century Museums along with Diversity and Inclusion initiatives. Janet is currently working on the Accessibility Excellence project and other projects revolving around PHMC’s diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives. Janet brings decades of support services in higher education with health, emergency services, and law enforcement training programs. She also specialized in dementia care both as home caregiver and professionally for several years. Janet’s own journey with disabilities culminated in a DSM V diagnosis of Autism, Level 1 (A/B) in March 2019 when she turned 48 and has built a role as a strong self-advocate for disabilities both personally and professionally. Janet is enjoying the opportunity to blend her experience with community support and her love of the humanities in her current position at PHMC. On weekends you can find her volunteering at the Shippensburg Historical Society in community programs, career support, and education.
Janetta Green, Director & CEO; Center for Independent Living of Central PA
Janetta W. Green, MBA (she/her/hers) has been working for the Center for Independent Living of Central Pennsylvania since 1989. Janetta holds a Bachelor’s degree from Alderson-Broaddus University and MBA from Eastern University. She has over 34 years working in Centers for Independent Living starting as a receptionist, independent living specialist, program manager, Chief Operating Officer and now Chief Executive Officer. She is an active member of the ADA Leadership Network, holds a certificate as an ADA Coordinator, is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and a Certified Accessibility Inspector.
Thursday, April 22
10 - 11:30 AM
Historic House Museums in the Age of COVID—New Solutions for House Museums
The past year has shown an even greater need for the second edition of New Solutions for House Museums, published in Nov 2020. Author Donna Ann Harris will be joined by Brenda Reigle of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to discuss three case studies from this new book. You will learn about co-stewardship agreements, reprogramming for a mission base use, and agreements for new site operations with “Friends of” organizations. Attendees will hear about new ideas for the operation of historic house museums that do not require deaccessioning objects, mergers or sales of historic properties, along with some lessons learned.
Donna Ann Harris, Principal
Donna Ann Harris is the principal of Heritage Consulting Inc. a Philadelphia-based Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) boutique consulting firm that aids non-profit organizations and government agencies nationwide in the following practice areas: downtown and commercial district revitalization, historic preservation, tourism product development, and non-profit organizational development.
Brenda Reigle, Director
Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission
Brenda Reigle is the Director of the Bureau of Historic Sites and Museums (BHSM) of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)—the state’s official history agency. She currently manages a group of properties around the Commonwealth that are organized around the Trails of History and range from a Lumber Museum and a Railroad Museum to religious settlements, to battlefields, to the reconstructed home of William Penn. PHMC manages 369 buildings on over 2000 acres of property.
The BHSM is working with PA Museums on an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant project, Accessibility Excellence. Accessibility Excellence is focused on both physical and programmatic accessibility for museums. We are developing both an assessment tool to help museums and historical organizations measure their accessibility to the public, and a resource kit to help organizations improve.
Thursday, April 22
12:30 - 2 PM
In the midst of COVID-19: Installing the Ed Colker exhibit at IUP
Planning, installing, and publicizing a museum exhibit is challenging enough without COVID-19. The pandemic has placed genuine restraints on traditional museum activities and public gatherings that continue to hinder exhibits and educational opportunities. The University Museum at IUP is not immune, but new and future exhibits continue to take place in dynamic ways. Current exhibits have featured virtual and in-person components in a variety of venues. The audience will learn more about how COVID-19 has transitioned the exhibit, “Print Matters: Selected Works from the Ed Colker Collection,” into a hybrid of virtual and in-person museum activities to attract new audiences.
Dr. Harrison Wick, hwick@iup.edu
Special Collections Librarian and University Archivist, and Member of the University Museum Board of Directors, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, Pennsylvania)
Thursday, April 22
5:00 - 6:00 PM
PHMC Virtual Collections Showcase
PHMC brings its monthly Virtual Collection Showcase to the PA Museums conference! This "museum geek hang-out" event will include short 5-minute presentations from PHMC staff representing sites from across the Commonwealth on objects in their collections that relate to the shared theme of "sports and recreation." Participants will have the chance to vote for which object they like the best and respond to fun questions about their own museum collections, like "What's your all-time fav object." Get ready to get your geek on!
Host:
- David Blackburn, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
Presenters:
- Jennifer Royer, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum
- Joshua Fox, Pennsylvania Lumber Museum
- John Fielding, Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum and Eckley Miners' Village
- Christopher O'Brien, Pennsylvania Railroad Museum
- Jennifer Gleim, Pennsylvania Military Museum
Friday, April 23
10 - 11:30 AM
Reimagining Learning through Museums
With our current global challenges surrounding the pandemic and racial injustice, many young people's primary way of gaining an education has shifted profoundly. This "new" approach goes by many names, but "School-at-home" is the current way millions of young people and school attending adults are accessing their education. The impact of this shift has caused institutions and parents to explore learning through a wider lens, and museums are beautifully positioned to potentially be the "New Schools of the Future."
Currently, museums hold a framework for equitable learning with extensibility beyond these uncertain times; let's take it a step further.
Maleka Diggs is an unschooling advocate, community organizer, presenter, and trainer that centers equity and inclusion, especially BIPOC communities, serving families, schools (public and private), and alternative learning spaces through her organization, Eclectic Learning Network. She is also co-founder of the Philly Children's Movement, a multi-racial and multi-generational collective of families talking, playing, and raising up for racial justice! Her work explores the intersections of race, parenting, and education, its impact on Black and Brown peoples, and those within under-represented communities while exploring ways to pivot away from harmful practices toward liberatory-centered approaches through unschooling and partnership-based learning practices.
Friday, April 23
3:30 - 5 PM
“Quaranteening” in Virtual Museum Spaces: Engaging Teen Audiences Virtually During a Crisis
Through virtual discussions and outreach, the Teen Ambassadors explore anthropology and archaeology. We conduct online events called Teen Science Cafes, inviting Philadelphia’s youth to explore everything the Penn Museum has to offer. Through this presentation, we hope to influence museum professionals by providing a teenager’s perspective on engaging educational youth programs.
PAPA's Youth Council helps engage teenagers in the art world while encouraging appreciation for the arts. By learning from art world professionals, curating an exhibition, and planning events for teen audiences, the Youth Council works to create comfort and community in virtual spaces.
Due to the pandemic, museum teen programs have shifted to a virtual platform. Although this is new and unfamiliar, exploring virtual meetings, events, and outreach has been integral to the mission of connecting teens to museums. In our presentation, we will share how the Penn Museum Teen Ambassadors and the Youth Council at PAFA have transitioned our programming to an online space. One objective we are exploring is creating supportive environments for teens through social justice conversations, art making, and engaging events.
Penn Museum Teen Ambassador Bios
Kelsea Gustavson, Teen and Undergraduate Engagement Coordinator
Enya Xiang, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Enya enjoys listening to podcasts and hopes to study history and anthropology in the future.
Faith Applegate, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Faith enjoys learning about history and discussing relevant sociopolitical issues. She plans on studying psychology, education, and Spanish in college.
Sajda Adam, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Sajda enjoys learning new perspectives on different issues in science and science representation. She plans on studying psychology and history in college.
Tal Netz, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Tal enjoys playing soccer and plans on studying anthropology and biology in college.
Jesse Eible Hargro, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Jesse enjoys reading and learning about new topics, and plans on studying anthropology, archaeology, and linguistics in college.
Zahra Rice, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Zahra is passionate about the arts and plans on pursuing careers in singing and creative writing.
Sophia Roach, Teen Ambassador at the Penn Museum
Sophia enjoys writing, studying culture, and plans to study political science and cultural anthropology in the future.
PAFA Youth Council Bios
Kristina Murray, Teen Programs Coordinator
Claudia Roth Hesson, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Claudia loves a good story, whether it be reading, writing, or history, and plans on studying English and math in college.
Izzy Lee, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Izzy enjoys sculpting and going on adventures. She plans on studying architecture and environmental studies in college.
Jack Teehan, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Jack enjoys painting, linguistics, and literature and plans to study art history and French in the future.
Sarah Poinson, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Sarah loves sewing, reading and writing
with her mom and plans to study fashion and textile history in college.
Lily Glaser, Youth Council Member at PAFA Lily likes painting and sketching, but also
enjoys science and math. She hopes to find a way to combine those passions when it comes to college and careers in the future.
Amelia Jeoung, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Amelia enjoys literature, art and animation, and would love to pursue a career in the visual arts. She also likes to stay educated and engaged in current events.
Zlata Semianiuk, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Zlata is interested in history, politics, and the arts. As a college student, she hopes to pursue a major in animation.
Alicja Domagat, Youth Council Member at PAFA
Alicja loves drawing and learning Polish. She plans on studying in the art field in the future.
