Museums Alaska: 2024 Conference

September 25-27 | Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks

Theme: Building Community
Partner: Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center

Registration Rates

Deadline:

Jul 31

  • Member $150
  • Non-Member $200
  • Online*-Member $75
  • Online*-Non-Member $100

Deadline:

Sept 7

  • Member $200
  • Non-Member $250
  • Online*-Member $75
  • Online*-Non-Member $100

Deadline:

Sept 27

  • Member $250
  • Non-Member $300
  • Online*-Member $75
  • Online*-Non-Member $100

*We will stream the keynote, lightning talks, sessions, and panels. We will not stream workshops, tours, or discussions.

Lodging Rate

Wedgewood Resort special room rate available from 9/23/24 to 9/29/24. The discounted room rate will be based upon availability so please book as early as possible.

The Wedgewood Resort is an all-suite hotel that offers one- bedroom suites. The one-bedroom suite includes a full kitchen, dining area, living room, balcony, bedroom with 2 double beds, walk-in closet, full bathroom, and cable T.V. The Wedgewood Resort also has laundry facilities and free wireless available to the guests.

Reservations can be made by calling their Reservations Department directly at 907-456-3642 or 800-528-4916, please mention Group Code: MAC0924.

Wedgewood Resort

Check in time is 4:00 p.m. and check out time is 11:00 a.m.

Please note that this rate is not available online and that reservations booked through third parties such as Booking.com or Expedia cannot be changed to match this rate.

One Bedroom Suite Rate: $229.00 single/double occupancy plus $10.00 for each additional guest. (Maximum occupancy 4 guests)

* All rates are subject to 8% bed tax. Rates are not available to reservations booked online *

*Hotel shuttle does not apply to reservations booked under a group code due to limited capacity*

* Cancellation policy: Reservations must be cancelled 24 hours prior to arrival to avoid any penalty*

Keynote Speaker

Lisa Sasaki

Lisa Sasaki is currently the deputy under secretary for special projects, where she provides leadership to the Institution as it plays a key role in America’s semiquincentennial celebration and in efforts that cut across organizational lines to maximize the Smithsonian’s impact, not only in Washington, DC, but also online and in communities across the country.

Previously, Sasaki was appointed the interim director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum in March 2021 and served in that role until 2023. She also served as the director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Sasaki has worked in the museum field for more than 25 years for organizations like the Oakland Museum of California, the Japanese American National Museum, and the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

She has provided further service to the field as President of the Western Museums Association’s Board of Directors and as a member of AAM’s Facing Change working group, the Center for the Future of Museum’s Horizon Initiative steering committee, and the Advisory Council for the Council of Jewish American Museums.

Awards

Nominate colleagues, volunteers, and organizations to recognize them for their achievements this year.

Annual Meeting

Annual meeting

We cordially invite you to be a part of our Annual Business Meeting during this year's conference.

At the meeting, we welcome your valuable input as we share updates and discuss developments. Your presence and participation are important as we chart the course for the upcoming year, addressing challenges and embracing new opportunities.

September 26, 2024

4:30–5:30pm

Wedgewood Resort and Zoom

The Zoom link for the Annual Meeting will be sent to all current members in August with the electronic ballots for our next board member election.

Add-on Workshops

Collections Care on a Budget

September 25
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
$25
This workshop will introduce attendees to collections care methods that can be done on a budget - from creating aluminum barriers to taking high-quality collections pictures with minimal equipment. This workshop is perfect for collections professionals at smaller institutions or anyone looking for low-cost tricks in collections care.

Exhibit Development and Design

September 25
1:oo PM – 4:00 PM
$25
In this workshop, Sarah Asper-Smith and Christine Carpenter of ExhibitAK will lead attendees through the process of developing and designing a small exhibition. This workshop is perfect for anyone working at small institutions, those working on a budget, and those who are new to museum exhibition work.

Grant Writing

September 27
9:oo AM – 12:00 PM
$0
In this workshop, Amy Steffian, with the assistance of Mary Irvine, will lead attendees through the process of grant writing. Attendees will learn the basic steps of preparing for and writing a grant, review and score grant application examples, and work on writing their own Alaska-specific grant application (i.e. CMF or GIA).
This workshop will be held at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center.

Museum Tours

University of Alaska Museum of the North

September 25
11:00 AM – 11:00 AM
$0
Register for a complimentary tour of the UAMN on-site collections rooms led by Dr. Angela Linn on the first day of the conference. Maximum of 15 people per tour.

University of Alaska Museum of the North

September 25
2:oo PM – 3:00 PM
$0
Register for a complimentary tour of the UAMN on-site collections rooms led by Dr. Angela Linn on the first day of the conference. Maximum of 15 people per tour.

Fairbanks Children's Museum

September 25
5:oo PM – 6:00 PM
$0
Register for a complimentary tour of the Fairbanks Children's Museum led by Executive Director Meredith Maple-Gitter on the first day of the conference. After the tour, you can walk (10 minute walk) or carpool over to the opening night event. Maximum of 25 people.

Volunteer

Angel project

Be a catalyst for positive change in the local museum community by volunteering at this year's conference.

What is the Angel Project?

The Angel Project is a unique opportunity for conference attendees to actively contribute to the preservation and enhancement of a local museum. It’s a hands-on experience where your passion for museums meets real impact.

How Can You Help?

We are looking for participants who have one or more of the following skills:

2024 Project

Volunteers will be un-framing and rehousing works on paper in the Fine Arts collection at UAMN with Della Hall on the first day of the conference. This is a great way to get hands-on collections experience, help a local museum in need, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the off-site Fine Arts collection storage. You are welcome to sign up for both shifts, if you’d like. Maximum of 8 people per shift.

What's in it for You?

How to Join:

Simply register for the Angel Project during conference registration. Together, let’s make a difference!

Local Tours

Extra time in Fairbanks? Check out Explore Fairbanks for tour and activity ideas!

grant programs

Looking for carpooling and roommates?

Make your conference experience even better by joining our Carpooling and Roommate Connection program.

Save on travel costs, reduce your carbon footprint, and forge new connections with fellow attendees.

Fill out the Form:

Complete the form below to send an email to the director with your contact details, travel plans, and whether you are looking to carpool or share a room.

Connect:

We’ll match you with potential carpool buddies or roommates based on your preferences.

Coordinate:

Reach out to your matches, coordinate travel plans, and get ready for a shared and memorable conference experience.

Your privacy is important to us. Your information will only be shared with those who express interest in the Carpooling and Roommate Connection program