Program Highlights
Pre-Conference Tours
A virtual conference means we aren't just confined to one city for our museum tours! Ohio museums have so many interesting, unique and engaging virtual tours available, and we want to share them with OMA 2020 attendees! See the Pre-Conference Tours page for a full list of available tours to explore whenever you would like.
Does your museum have a virtual tour you would like listed in this year's Virtual Pre-Conference Tours? Email [email protected]!
2019 OMA Awards
OMA Awards sponsored by: Museum Acrylics, Co.
Join us for the premier event of the OMA 2020 virtual conference! OMA is proud to celebrate our 2019 Visual Communication and Award of Achievement winners during this live event. Don your best awards show looks (or your comfiest pajamas) and join OMA Master of Ceremonies, Board President Jason Crabill, as we recognize the outstanding achievement of Ohio museums and museum professionals.
Ohio EMP 2020 Opening Night Reception
Join your fellow conference attendees at this virtual opening night after-party! Ohio’s EMP Chapters welcome all museum pros and Emerging Museum Professionals to enjoy a virtual networking social hour at this annual conference kickoff reception.
Keynote Address
OMA Welcomes Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion at the American Alliance of Museums for our 2020 Keynote Address, presented by Ohio Humanities.
Moving Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Forward in the Museum Field
Many of us have seen the growing number of conversations taking place all across the country in regards to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in the museum field. Many of us have taken part in conversations about the lack of diversity at the very top levels of our museums.
Even still, many of our museums are struggling to diversify who visits our museums, our staff, and our trustees. In 2017, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and BoardSource examined museum board leadership and found a disconnect in the field related to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. The survey found that while nearly half (46 percent) of museum boards are entirely white, 77 percent of museum directors believe expanding the racial and ethnic diversity of their boards is important to advancing their missions. Even so, only 10 percent of museum boards have developed a plan of action to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.
With the challenge of diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, at the forefront of our workforce and national dialogue, and with demographics shifting towards a much more racially diverse population, museums must confront the true nature of this challenge, face the bias implicit to our institutions, and commit to adopting policies and practices that create a culture of inclusion and equity. Only then can we honor our obligation to serve the whole public.
Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion at the American Alliance of Museum will share how AAM is thinking about issues tied to DEAI, and report out on the American Alliance of Museum’s unprecedented national initiative, Facing Change: Advancing Museum Board Diversity and Inclusion.
Conference Sessions
Monday, June 22
10:30am-11:30am CONCURRENT SESSIONS MORNING I:
Morning Leadership Workshop with Andrew Plumley
LIVE SESSION
Much has been written about the lack of diversity among nonprofit and museum leaders. Increasing diversity and inclusion within an organization takes motivation, courage, clear goals, and an effective plan of action. In this hour long session, we will discuss the difference between diversity, equity, and inclusion, identify the access points where small changes can have the most impact, and share strategies and stories on how to move the needle on diversity and inclusion within our own organizations and in the field more broadly.
Speaker: Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion, American Alliance of Museums
Arts in Service to Accessibility
RECORDED SESSION
Educators of students with disabilities need the arts. This session teaches how to make adapted art tools and how to bring together schools & arts organizations in service to accessibility.
Speakers: Sally Brannan, Associate Professor, Wittenberg University; Amy Korpieski, Museum Educator, Springfield Museum of Art
Project EAT!: Creating Unique Partnerships and Building Awareness
RECORDED SESSION
Though Project EAT!, the McKinley Museum built a county-wide partnership that showcased exciting new food-related exhibitions, events, and program, while simultaneously highlighting the work that is being done to fight food insecurity in our community. Museums can use our powerful platform as a respected cultural organization to effect change in our communities.
Speaker: Kim Kenney, Executive Director, McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
12:00pm-1:30pm LUNCHEON & PLENARY ADDRESS - PRESENTED BY: OHIO HUMANITIES
OMA Welcomes Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion, American Alliance of Museums
LIVE EVENT
Moving Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Forward in the Museum Field
Many of us have seen the growing number of conversations taking place all across the country in regards to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in the museum field. Many of us have taken part in conversations about the lack of diversity at the very top levels of our museums. Even still, many of our museums are struggling to diversify who visits our museums, our staff, and our trustees. In 2017, the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and BoardSource examined museum board leadership and found a disconnect in the field related to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. The survey found that while nearly half (46 percent) of museum boards are entirely white, 77 percent of museum directors believe expanding the racial and ethnic diversity of their boards is important to advancing their missions. Even so, only 10 percent of museum boards have developed a plan of action to become more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.
With the challenge of diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion, at the forefront of our workforce and national dialogue, and with demographics shifting towards a much more racially diverse population, museums must confront the true nature of this challenge, face the bias implicit to our institutions, and commit to adopting policies and practices that create a culture of inclusion and equity. Only then can we honor our obligation to serve the whole public.
Andrew Plumley, Director of Inclusion at the American Alliance of Museum will share how AAM is thinking about issues tied to DEAI, and report out on the American Alliance of Museum’s unprecedented national initiative, Facing Change: Advancing Museum Board Diversity and Inclusion.
2:00pm-3:00pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS AFTERNOON I:
Digital Marketing and Social Media: The Future of Museums Rests in 1s and 0s
LIVE SESSION
Social media helps raise awareness and drive attendance to our institutions. In this session, learn how to build a social media strategy that fits into your workload and meets your museum's (AND audiences') expectations.
Speakers: Doug Buchanan, Vice President of Membership, Marketing & Guest Relations, COSI; Hannah Bealer, Marketing Coordinator, COSI; Kristina Smith, Communications/Marketing Manager, Hayes Presidential Center; Jamie Glavic, Account Supervisor, Scooter Media Company
Accessibility is Not An Amenity: How to Open Your Museums to All
RECORDED SESSION
Have you ever thought about how accessible your institution is for all visitors? Has your museum been audited for accessibility? Have you thought about creating a sensory-friendly space? Learn about the Massillon Museum's experience answering these questions and developing initiatives to become a more accessible institution.
Speakers: Brandon Rohrer, Guest Operations Manager, Massillon Museum; Stephanie Toole, Education and Outreach Manager, Massillon Museum
All Together Now
LIVE SESSION
Inclusive environments start on the museum floor with volunteers in mind. In this session, you will learn how Cincinnati Art Museum staff formed their volunteer advisory group, used survey data from all museum volunteers to plan future training sessions, and how staff and volunteers collaborated to facilitate those training sessions.
Speakers: Andrew Palamara, Associate Director of Docent Learning, Cincinnati Art Museum; Caitlin Tracey-Miller, Visitor Research Coordinator, Cincinnati Art Museum
ENACTing Change: Lessons from the World of Collective Impact
LIVE SESSION
The Emerging New American Community Team (ENACT) is a cohort of Central Ohio emerging immigrant and refugee leaders. A team of more than 15 community institutions and grass roots organizations united to teach and develop the skills of civic engagement. Now that the first cohort has concluded, we will share the lessons of large community coalition building and discuss how this model can empower institutions to rethink their role in community.
Speakers: Ben Anthony, Community Engagement Coordinator, Ohio History Connection
Tuesday, June 23
10:30am-11:30am CONCURRENT SESSIONS MORNING II:
Promising Practices in Equitable Hiring, Workplace Culture, & Community Networking
RECORDED SESSION
Looking for ways to start or enhance your Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access (IDEA) work within your institution and community? Join a lively session that’s part realistic storytelling, part idea-swap as two museum leaders from different parts of the state, and perhaps a few other surprise guests, will share and confess what they've learned surrounding IDEA practices in Ohio museums.
Speakers: Whitney Owens, Chief Learning Officer, Cincinnati Museum Center; Jodie Engle, Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion and Audience Development, COSI
Creating Inclusive Multi-Sensory Experiences
LIVE SESSION
Session sponsored by: Roto
Explore ways to engage visitors of all abilities through multi sensory experiences. This approach encourages visitors to use their other senses to enhance what they see. Educators will learn practical ways of introducing the five senses in the galleries, then discuss how to activate different objects with this method.
Speaker: Sara Birkofer, Manager of Accessibility and Gallery Programs, Cincinnati Art Museum
Maximizing Community Partnerships to Enhance Programming within a Small Museum
LIVE SESSION
The Cleveland Fed’s Learning Center and Money Museum will discuss how small museums can reach new audiences by leveraging partnerships with community organizations to create relevant and engaging student programming. Through examples learn how fostering partnerships with established neighboring institutions resulted in the enhancement of programs doubling their previous outcomes.
Speakers: Khaz Finley, Education and Museum Outreach Supervisor, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Learning Center & Money Museum; Elle Benak, Education and Museum Outreach Associate, Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland Learning Center & Money Museum
Teachers as Museum Advocates Through Professional Development
LIVE SESSION
This session will explore the value of teacher PD for connecting museums with schools. Speakers will focus on strategies for using PD to build relationships and how PD programs help teachers advocate for museums. Case studies will be from three Ohio museums, with a planning workshop to design a program.
Speaker: Samantha Gaier, Associate Director of School-Based Learning, Cincinnati Art Museum; Tony Lawson, Senior Director of School and Educator Partnerships, Cincinnati Museum Center
12:00pm-1:30pm VENDOR VIRTUAL LUNCH:
Grab your lunch and learn from museum service providers from across the state and region how they can help your museum and make your job easier during this virtual exhibit hall. Attendees at the vendor virtual lunch will be eligible for great OMA prizes like free memberships and 2021 conference registrations - but you have to be present to win!
2:00pm-3:00pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS AFTERNOON II:
Inclusive Design Strategies for Blind and Low Vision Visitors
RECORDED SESSION
This session will address production considerations for braille, tactile graphics, and audio elements – highlighting how these elements can be utilized in an exhibit space, as well as optimal development strategies. Attendees will learn how to incorporate end users in the development process, ensuring accessible materials have utility in practice, not just in theory.
Speakers: Samuel Foulkes, Printing House Manager, Clovernook Center for the Blind
Community Conversations
LIVE SESSION
In this session, participants will learn of two different approaches to community engagement—one from a community historical society and one from a larger art museum. Through the presentation and follow-up discussion, see which one best fits the needs of your organization.
Speakers: Carrie Maras, Associate Director for Community Engagement, Cincinnati Art Museum
Removing Barriers Through Authentic Communication
LIVE SESSION
Are you messaging your organization's events in a way that is compelling? This session will show you how to break down silos and eliminate jargon so you can create meaningful,
relevant communications that will resonate with your audience. We'll look at case studies from the arts world and beyond as well as data that will guide you to messaging your organization and events more effectively. You'll leave this session inspired to up your storytelling game in a way that increases engagement and sales.
Speaker: Ceci Dadisman, Digital Marketing Manager, FORM
Ohio Humanities Grants for Exhibitions & Permanent Collection Installations
LIVE SESSION
This session includes a general introduction to the Ohio Humanities grants program and highlights examples of successful Ohio Humanities-funded projects for in-house exhibitions and permanent collection installations.
Speaker: Robert Colby, PhD, Program Officer, Ohio Humanities; David Merkowitz, Assistant Director, Ohio Humanities
3:30pm-4:30pm CONFERENCE WRAP-UP AND LIVE Q&A:
Join us for the final session of the OMA 2020 Virtual Conference as we wrap up the event. Separate breakout rooms will be available for live Q&A time with our session presenters for attendees to get those last questions in before the conference concludes.