2019 OMA Annual Conference

 April 14-15 - Akron

For many, museums serve as community anchors – as gathering spaces and vibrant neighborhood cornerstones. In those communities, museums are places to learn, to reflect and to share ideas.

But how can all museums ensure they are best serving their community’s needs? How can we empower our guests to feel ownership of the museum as their space - a place that reflects not only their story, but the greater story of humanity and our ever-changing world? How can museums continue to grow as the best stewards of our shared cultural heritage?

Join us in Akron, April 14-15 as we explore these topics and more at the 2019 Ohio Museums Association’s Annual Conference: Sharing Culture – Enriching Communities.

OMA 2019 Conference Program

OMA 2019 is packed full of great opportunities, professional development, engaging speakers, tours, awards, networking and more! Attendees at OMA 2019 will enjoy the great conference staples you've come to expect from the Ohio Museums Association, including:

• BACK FOR 2019! Pre-Conference Tours - There's more to explore at OMA 2019! Join OMA a day early, Saturday, April 13 as we visit four amazing Akron museums - the University of Akron Emily Davis Gallery, the Drs. Nicholas and Dorothy Cummings Center for the History of Psychology, the Summit County Historical Society and the Akron Zoo!
• The 2019 Keynote Address by Sean Kelley, Senior Vice President and Director of Interpretation at the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. 2019 Keynote Address is presented by: Ohio Humanities
• Our Sunday progressive museum tour - Enjoy an evening of exploring two iconic Akron museums!
• The Annual Awards dinner at the beautiful Stan Hywet Hall and Gardens
• BACK FOR 2019! OMA is proud to once again offer Student Scholarships to attend the 2019 Annual Conference! Scholarship includes a full, Sunday and Monday registration.
• NEW FOR 2019! Join keynote speaker, Sean Kelley, for a morning leadership workshop, Monday, April 15
• The OMA raffle that boasts a wide variety of goodies you won't be able to resist
• A perennial favorite - The Ohio EMP Gathering! Join the leadership of all five Ohio EMP Chapters welcomes EMPs from across the state, as well as museum pros looking to learn more about these groups. Enjoy networking and cocktails at this all-Ohio EMP event!
• BACK FOR 2019! Two Pre-Conference Workshop! - OMA has partnered with two great Northeastern Ohio organizations to present two Sunday workshops:  "Art Conservation: What you need, and what you need to know," with ICA-Art Conservation; and "Arts and Culture at the Community Development Table," with ArtsNow!
• The OMA Exhibit Hall featuring regional museum service providers
• Networking with museum professionals from across the state
• Sixteen professional development sessions and morning roundtable session ranging in topics from across the museum discipline
  

See the full line-up of conference programming on the Program page. 

Visit the Registration page for complete details and to register for OMA 2019!