Program Highlights
Saturday Conference Tours
See more of Columbus and join us on Saturday, April 18 for a full day of exploration on our Firsts to Futures tour.
This immersive experience will take attendees to seven organizations that celebrate the city’s trailblazers and visionaries. From historic landmarks to creative spaces leading the way forward, these stops celebrate innovators and pioneers who defined Columbus’ past, and places that continue to inspire its future.
Learn more about the 2026 OMA Saturday Conference Firsts and Futures and register here.
Sunday OSU Walking Tours
Join us for a special walking tour of several locations on The Ohio State University's storied "Oval," with Dr. Loren Babcock, Professor, School of Earth Sciences and Director of the Orton Geological Museum. On this tour, attendees will explore the treasures in OSU's Orton Hall, Hayes Hall, Hopkins Hall, the Wexner Center for the Arts, the John Glenn Center, and OSU's Main Library. Two tour opportunities will be held:
Morning Walking Tour: 10:00 am-11:30am
Afternoon Walking Tour: 12:30pm-3:00pm
Learn more and register for one of these special opportunities at the links above.
NEW for 2026: Affinity Group Lunches
Introducing Affinity Group Lunches for 2026! Continue the energy of our bi-monthly virtual chats, only this time, face-to-face. Join fellow professionals in your area of focus—Directors, Membership, and Underground Railroad Sites—for a guided lunchtime discussion that digs deeper into the topics shaping your work. Connect, share insights, compare challenges, and walk away with ideas you can immediately put into practice.
Sunday Conference Workshops
OMA is proud to present two Sunday Conference workshops in 2026.
The Death of the Gala: Fundraising Reimagined at the National Museum of the Great Lakes, will take place on Sunday, April 19 from 12:00am-2:00 pm at the Embassy Suites Dublin, and is presented by the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Learn more about the OMA 2026 Sunday Conference NMGL Workshop and register here.
Building the Dream: A Case Study in Designing A Collections Care Center for Diverse Collections, will take place off-site on Sunday, April 19 from 12:00-3:00 pm at the Ohio History Connection, and is presented by the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the OMA 2026 Sunday Conference OHC Off-Site Workshop and register here.
Sunday Evening Museum Tours
Enjoy an evening exploring four Columbus museums! First we'll visit the Ohio History Center. Then, enjoy the rest of the evening exploring three downtown Columbus museum gems: Columbus Museum of Art, COSI, and the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. Guests can walk and explore on their own, or after about 40 minutes at each stop, buses will rotate to a new location before returning to the Embassy Suites at 6:30pm.
2025 OMA Awards
The Annual Ohio Museums Association Awards Dinner will be held at OMA 2026 HQ, the Embassy Suites Dublin. Enjoy networking with museum professionals from across the state as the Ohio Museums Association recognizes our 2025 Visual Communication and Award of Achievement winners.
2026 Opening Night Afterparty- Sponsored by Ohio's EMP Chapters
Join fellow conference attendees off-site, at Dublin’s nearby iconic Bridge Park district at this OMA 2025 opening night afterparty! Ohio’s EMP Chapters welcome all museum pros and Emerging Museum Professionals to enjoy networking & fun at this annual conference kickoff afterparty.
Keynote Address
OMA welcomes Laura Huerta Migus, Director of Fellowship Alumni Engagement and National Activation & Impact, Aspen Institute for our 2026 Keynote Address, Museums as Anchors for Community Resilience
Over the last decade, we have all had to navigate an unrelenting pace of change: from economic upheavals to the global health crises, to quantum leaps forward in technology, and more. These changes affect us as individuals, institutions, and communities – how do we respond as people and professionals effectively and within our mission and means?
How do we lean into the strengths of our practice and places for sustainability and community connection? This talk will explore these questions and offer ways forward for museum leaders at all levels.
Afternoon Keynote Leadership Workshop
OMA welcomes Laura Huerta Migus, Director of Fellowship Alumni Engagement and National Activation & Impact, Aspen Institute for our 2026 Afternoon Keynote Leadership Workshop, Leading Resilient Museums
The role of museum executive has always been complex, requiring high-functioning across a number of domains: fundraising, talent management, content expertise, and political acumen, just to name a few. In this focused session, museum leaders will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the opportunities and challenges the current landscape offers from the local to the federal level.
OMA 50/50 Raffle
Get your raffle tickets for OMA’s 50/50 raffle! Support Ohio’s museums and the work OMA does on behalf of Ohio’s museum community, and enter to win a cash prize in the process! Tickets will be available at the registration desk and with Raffle team members throughout the day. Winner will be announced during the afternoon break.
Conference Sessions
Sunday - April 19
12:00pm-2:00pm Sunday Conference Workshop
(Ticket Required—This workshop can be included as an add-on to conference registration)
The Death of the Gala: Fundraising Reimagined at the National Museum of the Great Lakes
Faced with changing donor expectations and post-pandemic realities, the National Museum of the Great Lakes abandoned its traditional gala to reimagine fundraising through mission-driven sponsorships, strategic partnerships, and the creation of The Admiral Society. Learn how intentional innovation can deepen community impact, grow revenue, and align fundraising with core values.
Speaker: Sara Smith, Director of Institutional Advancement, National Museum of the Great Lakes
12:00pm-3:00pm Sunday Conference Off-Site Workshop
(Ticket Required—This workshop can be included as an add-on to conference registration)
Building the Dream: A Case Study in Designing A Collections Care Center for Diverse Collections
Curators from the Ohio History Connection share their new Collections Care Center, a 29,000 square foot state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable collections storage facility. See and learn how the building safely houses a variety of collection types, from textiles and taxidermy to art and fossils, and accounts for future growth.Speakers: Becky Odom, History Curator/Manager, Ohio History Connection; David Dyer, Senior Curator of Natural History, Ohio History Connection; Marlise Schoeny, Curator of History, Ohio History Connection
Monday, April 20
9:15am-10:15am CONCURRENT SESSIONS MORNING I:
Growing Donations with Sustainable Strategies
Session Sponsored by Accession Grant Writing
Individual donors are the largest source of philanthropy in the United States. At a time when nonprofits are seeking resiliency and growth, our focus on fundraising must be a top priority. Learn practical strategies that you can
implement and sustain that will help build transparency, trust, and long term relationships.
Speakers: Catherine Timko, Executive Director, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center
Corridor Culture: Museum-Led Revitalization on Livingston Avenue
Discover how a neighborhood museum can drive corridor revitalization through art, storytelling, and community partnerships. Learn from
Rickenbacker Woods Foundation’s low-cost “micro-win” model—combining youth programs, local merchants, and historic legacies—to boost safety,
engagement, and economic vitality while creating a replicable blueprint for museum-led neighborhood transformation.
Speakers: Michael Aaron, Executive Director, Rickenbacker Woods
Foundation
"I'm Board" - Ideas on how to "Game-ify" your Collections Using Non-Digital Games
After a brief introduction, this session will aim to provide inspiration, through a series of examples, of how museum staff can better engage visitors of all ages by utilizing their collections and the popular pastime of gaming (board games, card games, role-playing). Learning really can be fun!
Speaker: Gwenyth Haney, Collections Manager/Registrar, Dayton History
Growing Together in Central Ohio: A Community Approach to Museum Resilience
Discover how Central Ohio museums turned collaboration into a membership powerhouse. Learn how our CMAP (Columbus Member Advantage Program) network of membership managers shares ideas, solves challenges, and
creates reciprocal benefits for members—and leave with a roadmap to build your own community-wide partnership.
Speakers: Patrick Bradford, Membership Manager, Wexner Center for the Arts; Meghan Federer, Assistant Director, The Works; Holly Guggenbiller, Membership Manager, Columbus Museum of Art; Maureen Mason, Annual Giving Manager, National Veterans Memorial and Museum; Deidra Nolan, Membership Relations Manager, Franklin Park Conservatory & Gardens; Dawn Orozco, Membership Coordinator, Columbus Zoo & Aquarium; Truda Shinker, Membership Department Manager, Ohio History Connection; Ashley Witte, Membership Manager, COSI
10:15am-11:00am MORNING BREAK AND ROUNDTABLE SESSION:
Take a break to explore the OMA exhibit hall, and network with your colleagues in the ballroom during our morning roundtable sessions. Choose one of many discussion tables with topics important to Ohio museum professionals.
11:05am-12:05pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS MORNING II:
Historic Building Envelopes: How to Approach Maintenance + Repair + Restoration
We will discuss several issues with historic building envelopes, reviewing how to identify causes and repair methods. We will outline when to bring in another party such as an architect, structural engineer, or contractor to assist the solution process. We encourage attendees to bring photos of their exteriors for discussion.
Speakers: Patrick Hyland, Senior Architect, Perspectus; Brian Broadus
Senior Architect, Perspectus; Mike Mazzocco, Structural Engineer, Barber & Hoffman
Eco Made: Celebrating Art, Science, and America 250
Session Sponsored by America 250-Ohio
A dynamic panel discussion exploring how art, science, and
environmental leadership intersect to celebrate 250 years of American innovation while inspiring sustainable futures through creativity,
collaboration, and care for Ohio’s natural resources and landscapes.
Speakers: Margarita Vilshanetskaya, Manager of the Officer of the
President and Community Art Curator, COSI; Kim Nagorski, Executive
Director, Ohio Craft Museum; Marcia Armstrong, Environmental Artist, Ohio Craft Museum; Stephen White, Sr. VP of Partnerships & Business
Development, COSI; Laurie Miller, Director of Living Collections, COSI; Mary Mertz, Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Brandon Miller, Owner, 3rd Reality Media; Maria Burke, Owner, Stromatolite Studios
Nature as Living History: How to Expand Your Museum Outdoors
Trees are living history. A museum’s landscape can attract an audience that appreciates both the outdoors and history. Learn more about
arboreta and how they act as a tree museum that provides beauty,
education, & plant knowledge while learning horticulture best practices.
Speakers: Leslie Wagner, Historian, Dawes Arboretum; Greg Payton,
Curator of Living Collections
Pilot to Practice: Lessons from the OMA Accessibility Committee
Discover how to establish, structure, and maintain effective accessibility committees within cultural organizations. Drawing on the 2024-2025 pilot OMA Accessibility Committee’s experiences, leading up to the 2025 OMA conference, attendees will leave with a practical toolkit of templates and action plans to enhance inclusivity for this disability community.
Speakers: Megan Fitze, Executive Director, Art Possible Ohio; Katie
Shelley, Conda Family Manager of Access Initiatives, Toledo Museum of Art; Tom Babinski, Founder, Even Grounds
12:10pm-1:30pm LUNCHEON & PLENARY ADDRESS
OMA Welcomes Laura Huerta Migus, Director of Fellowship Alumni Engagement and National Activation & Impact, Aspen Institute
Museums as Anchors for Community Resilience
Over the last decade, we have all had to navigate an unrelenting pace of change: from economic upheavals to the global health crises, to quantum leaps forward in technology, and more.
These changes affect us as individuals, institutions, and communities – how do we respond as people and professionals effectively and within our mission and means?
How do we lean into the strengths of our
practice and places for sustainability and
community connection? This talk will
explore these questions and offer ways
forward for museum leaders at all levels.
1:30pm-2:30pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS AFTERNOON I:
Keynote Workshop: Leading Resilient Museums
The role of museum executive has always been complex, requiring high-functioning across a number of domains: fundraising, talent management, content expertise, and political acumen, just to name a few. In this focused session, museum leaders will have the
opportunity to dig deeper into the opportunities and challenges the current landscape offers from the local to the federal level.
Speaker: Laura Huerta Migus, Director of Fellowship Alumni
Engagement and National Activation & Impact, Ascend at the Aspen Institute
Bridging the Divide: Insights into Museum and Academic Library Collaborations
This session presents national survey results investigating collaborative efforts between museums and academic libraries. From the responses,
professionals across both sectors, a nuanced landscape of partnership
potential, barriers, and benefits emerges. Benefits of collaboration
include shared expertise, programming, and resource exchange;
particularly in digitization, grant writing, and educational outreach.
Speakers: Virginia Dressler, Digital Projects Librarian, Kent State
University; Kelley Rowan, Digital Archives Librarian, Florida International University
The New Discursive Exhibition: GenAI and Participatory Museum Experiences
This session explores how GenAI could redfine discursive museum
exhibitions, enabling participatory storytelling, interactive
interpretation, and responsive engagement. Focusing on GenAI driven dialogue systems, virtual guides, and creative co-production, it
examines how museums can use GenAI to foster critical reflection,
inclusivity, and collaboration while navigating emerging ethical and
curatorial challenges.
Speakers: Basil Masri Zada, Assistant Professor of Instruction, Digital Art + Technology, Ohio University; Carlos R. Pacheco, Adjunct Professor, School of Art, CVPA, George Mason University
Beyond the Register: Building Community Through Museum Shops and Marketing
Marketing and museum merchandising aren’t just support—they
engage audiences, reinforce mission, and drive revenue. Gift shops can become community hubs, connecting local artisans, crafters, and
authors. Aligning marketing with merchandise and hosting events like craft fairs or workshops creates cohesive, engaging experiences that strengthen brand identity and invite repeat visits.
Speaker: Madison Maniaci, Marketing & Engagement Manager, Lorain
Historical Society
2:35pm-3:05pm AFTERNOON BREAK :
Take a break to explore the OMA exhibit hall, network with your colleagues, and get those final 50/50 raffle tickets! Raffle winner will be announced prior to the Afternoon II sessions.
3:10pm-4:10pm CONCURRENT SESSIONS AFTERNOON II:
Summer and Beyond! Building Community-Centered Partnerships with Public Libraries
Session Sponsored by FacilitySight
Much like museums, libraries offer more than many people expect. Join library consultants from the State Library of Ohio to brainstorm ways to collaborate with your public libraries for programming,
education and engagement. Let’s make connections, elevate our shared values, and enhance our visibility and community impact together.
Speakers: Katy Hite, Adult Services Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio; Janet Ingraham Dwyer, Youth Services Library Consultant, State Library of Ohio
Creating, Recreating, and Sunsetting Educational Programs
In this workshop, attendees will learn the tools to evaluate current
programs based around staff needs, fiscal responsibility, and
audience and attendance goals, while keeping accessibility in mind. These tools can be utilized to measure new and established
programming with a goal of avoiding burnout.
Speaker: Caylan Rentsch, Outreach and Programs Coordinator, Massillon Museum; Jessica Runyon, Senior Manager of Learning and Outreach, Taft Museum of Art
Creating a More Inclusive Art Museum Experience for the Blind and Other Disabled Visitors
This session will illustrate key digital tools and takeaways for blind and other disabled museum visitors within augmented reality,
virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and visual interpreting.
Examples and resources will be provided in creating a more accessible and inclusive museum experience for all.
Speaker: Joy Mistovich, Assistant Education Director/Digital UX Accessibility Specialist, Butler Institute of American Art