Museums Alaska:
2024 Conference Schedule
September 25-27 | Wedgewood Resort, Fairbanks
Partner: Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center
Conference agenda
The schedule of the conference is in progress as we gather speaker bios and session descriptions.
at University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Della Hall, Collection Manager, Fine Arts
in Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Classroom
This workshop will introduce attendees to collections care methods that can be done on a budget – such as creating aluminum barriers to taking high-quality collections pictures with minimal equipment, cleaning techniques, and making soft supports. This workshop is perfect for collections professionals at smaller institutions or anyone looking for low-cost tricks in collections care.
- Ashley Bivin, Museum Director, Cordova Museum
- Sarah Owens, Owner & Conservator, Interwoven Fibers. LLC
at University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Dr. Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager
in Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Classroom
- Sarah Asper-Smith, ExhibitAK
- Christine Carpenter, ExhibitAK
at University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Della Hall, Collections Manager, Fine Arts
at University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Dr. Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager
at Fairbanks Children’s Museum
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.
- Meredith Maple-Gitter, Executive Director, Fairbanks Children's Museum
at Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
- Hosted by Tania Clucas, Executive Director, Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
Breakfast sponsored by Kinross Alaska:
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
Any person who has ever constructed a building knows that establishing a strong foundation is critical to the longevity and success of the project. In order for museums to better serve, work with, and communicate with their communities, they must first examine their organizational foundations to ensure that the groundwork has been laid to grow what will hopefully be a long-lasting commitment to community.
Based upon almost 30 years of working at and with community-based museums, Lisa Sasaki, Deputy Under Secretary for Special Projects at the Smithsonian Institution, will take us through a journey to understand why it’s important to not just think about how we build community but also to interrogate why museums, no matter the size or focus, must change if we desire to have communities see us as a trusted partner.
- Lisa Sasaki, Deputy Under Secretary for Special Projects, Smithsonian Institution
Session sponsored by the Alaska State Libraries, Archives, and Museums:
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
Session sponsored by The Usibelli Foundation:
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
Session sponsored by Alyeska Pipeline Service Company:
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
- Amanda Lancaster, Curator of Collections, Alutiiq Museum
- Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager of Ethnology and History, University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Angie Demma, Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Bethany Buckingham Follett, Curator, Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center
- Monica Shah, Deputy Director of Collections & Conservation, Anchorage Museum
- Moderator: Selena Ortega-Chiolero, Museum Specialist, Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax (Chickaloon Village Traditional Council)
Session sponsored by the CIRI Foundation:
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
- Board nominations are open until
- Sign up sheets will be at the check-in desk
in Wedgewood Resort Ballroom
in Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Classroom
- Amy Steffian, Chief Curator, Alutiiq Museum
- Mary Irvine, Curator of Statewide Services, Alaska State Museum
in Wedgewood Resort Garden Room
- Sarah Asper-Smith, Owner, ExhibitAK
- Christine Carpenter, Exhibit Designer & Project Manager, ExhibitAK
Session sponsored by the Blaine’s Art:
in Wedgewood Ballroom
- Rachel Boesenberg, Assistant Curator, Anchorage Museum
- Alex Taitt, Assistant Curator, Digital Content & Programs, Anchorage Museum
in Wedgewood Ballroom
Join fellow collections professionals to ask and answer questions about NAGPRA, talk about the new updates to the law, and share your latest experiences with NAGPRA meetings and outreach. Discussion moderators:
- Amanda Lancaster, Curator of Collections, Alutiiq Museum
- Angela Linn, Senior Collections Manager of Ethnology and History, University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Monica Shah, Deputy Director of Collections & Conservation, Anchorage Museum
Session sponsored by the Pratt Museum:
in Wedgewood Garden Room
Curator John Hagen will talk about how he has been using hands on learning to engage community members. Anchorage Museum in Anchorage, Alaska has been hosting hands on programs about wild foods available around his community, art-based community programs, and artist lead community workshops. These programs bring new people to the museum and help community members learn about the land around them. Learn how Hagen incorporates his culture and love for Alaska food into his curatorial practice through programs like: Catch a Fish, and Everything but the Slime: How to Fillet a Salmon, and Salmon Skin Sewing.
- John Hagen, Curator of Indigenous Arts and Initiatives, Anchorage Museum
Session sponsored by First National Bank Alaska:
Enjoy lunch on your own, or sign up at the check-in table to go to a local restaurant to talk about specific topics. Sign up sheets will be located at the check-in table.
- Directors/Administration
- Collections
- Education/Programming
- Exhibitions/Curation
in Wedgewood Ballroom
Effective board governance is the key to a successful organization. Boards are the visionaries who set strategic direction and lead in the fund development of the mission. In this session, you will learn six practical board responsibilities that will encourage your board to lean in and move mission. The format of this session is a hybrid of presentation and conversation of fundamental challenges in organizations– bringing topics to explore, such as board recruitment, fundraising, conflict of interests, or a situation that needs untangling.
- Monica Garcia-Itchoak, Program Officer, Rasmuson Foundation
Session sponsored by First National Bank Alaska:
in Wedgewood Garden Room
- Gina Agron, Health Consultant, Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Consultation and Training (AKOSH C&T)
- Margaret Greutert, Chief Curator, Kodiak History Museum
- Amanda Lancaster, Curator of Collections, Alutiiq Museum
- Stephanie Black, Conservator, Anchorage Museum
- Brandy Howard, PE, CIH, CSP, Group Manager of Industrial Hygiene and Asbestos, Terracon
- Kerith Koss Schrager, Objects Conservator
in Wedgewood Board Room
- Bob Curtis-Johnson, Owner, SummitDay Media
Session sponsored by SummitDay Media:
in Wedgewood Ballroom
Join us for a panel on what to expect when you launch a capital campaign. Learn capital campaign basics, tips from colleagues’ campaigns, and how to prepare for a capital ask from Rasmuson Foundation.
- Patrick Druckenmiller, Executive Director, University of Alaska Museum of the North
- Djuna Davidson, Director of Advancement, Alutiiq Museum
- Gregory Stewart, Director of Grants, Alaska Native Heritage Center
- Monica Garcia-Itchoak, Program Officer, Rasmuson Foundation
Session sponsored by Corvus Design:
in Wedgewood Board Room
- Cris Garcia, Museum Project Manager (Contract), Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, National Park Service
Session sponsored by Gaylord Archival:
in Wedgewood Garden Room
- Selena Ortega-Chiolero, Museum Specialist, Nay’dini’aa Na’ Kayax (Chickaloon Village Traditional Council)
Session sponsored by the Alaska Community Foundation:
