OMA Awards of Achievement
Click here to download an Awards of Achievement Nomination Form.
The awards are divided into two groups: Individual Achievement Awards and Institutional Achievement Awards.
Individual Achievement Awards
Professional of the Year—This award recognizes excellence in professional accomplishments and service by an employee of an Ohio Museums Association institutional member. Presented for outstanding leadership or professionalism over an extended period of time. Such leadership or professionalism shall be based on the continual growth and development of an organization or specific program.
Museum Advocate – This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exemplary support for Ohio museums. Nominees can be museum professionals, volunteer advocates, philanthropists, trustees, appointed or elected officials, journalists and media representatives, or anyone who has contributed to the vitality of life in Ohio by consistently promoting the growth and sustainability of Ohio museums.
Emerging Professional of the Year—This award recognizes exceptional promise and potential for emerging professionals in the museum field. The nominee must be currently employed by an OMA institutional member and must be working in the field for ten years or less.The Betty Bryan Volunteer of the Year—This award recognizes the extraordinary dedication of a volunteer who has made significant contributions to the museum field. The nominee must volunteer at a museum outside of their normal work duties and must have volunteered for at least one year.
Institutional Achievement Awards
Institution of the Year—An award that recognizes outstanding institutional accomplishments in the field of Ohio museums. A nomination may be made for any project considered to be an outstanding model or best practice. To qualify, an institution must be a member of the Ohio Museums Association.
The following awards will be recognized in two budget categories (less than $500,000 and more than $500,000)
Best Exhibition—An award that recognizes an outstanding exhibition and its related programming.Best Exhibition Catalog—An award that recognizes excellence in research, visual design, text, images, formatting and editing in an exhibition’s companion catalog.Best Community Collaboration/Partnership—An award that recognizes innovative partnerships within communities or among other museums.Best Education/Outreach Program—An award that recognizes outstanding education and/or outreach programs.
Deadline for submitting 2024 Award of Achievement Nominations: January 20, 2025 (all entries must be postmarked by this date).
Projects are judged on their merits within the context of their own institutional capacity. Consideration will be given to projects completed within 18 months before the January 20, 2025 deadline.
- How has the project benefited the public? Judges Favor projects with ambitious outreach over those that are intended mainly to benefit the members of an organization.
- How has the project enhanced the professionalism of the organization and improve its ability to serve the public? Projects will be evaluated on the basis of relevance to the organization’s mission, and potential for increased institutional capacity.
- Is the project an outstanding example? Judges look for projects that are innovative and feature new ideas that will provide inspiration for creative development by other institutions, thus moving the field as a whole forward.
Eligibility
- Anyone may submit a nomination, including staff of the nominated organization
- A nominee for an institutional award must be an institutional member of OMA; an individual nominee must be affiliated with an institutional member or be an individual member.
- Membership information and applications can be found on the Member Benefits page or by contacting Johnna McEntee at the OMA office: 614.297.2375, [email protected].
Nominating Procedures
Nominations must be postmarked no later than the deadline as posted above.
Submitted materials become the property of OMA. Awards are judged by a committee. Each reviewer receives a complete package to review; therefore, if you are entering a physical packet four copies of the nomination package must be submitted. Nominations will be evaluated solely on the materials provided. There is an entry fee of $25.00 per nomination.
Digital nomination packets will be accepted. If you are submitting your nomination digitally, please email submission along with nomination form to [email protected].
Institution nominations should include the following in this order:
- Nomination abstract
- The name of the award sought by the nominee
- Nominee information
- Name and title of person who will accept the award
- Name, address, phone number and website address of the member institution
- Executive director of the institution with email address and phone number
- Name of the project being nominated
- Nominator Information
- Name, title, phone number and email address of person making the nomination
- Name, address, phone number and website of his/her affiliated organization
- Abstract of project or individual accomplishments
- Summary of Achievement (To be used to write award citation. Please confine this summary to 100 words; provide detailed information in attached materials.)
- Impact Summary of project or individual accomplishments. (Please confine this summary to 100 words; provide detailed information in attached materials.)
- Annual operating budget of institution
- Date Project Completed
- Project Costs (including in-kind and staff time)
- Mission Statement of the institution
- A detailed project description, not to exceed 1200 words, explaining the development,
implementation, and results of the project.
- The project budget and sources of funding, including in-kind and staff time
- Letters of support
- Exhibition catalogs (required for exhibit and catalog nominees)
- Press releases, promotional materials, newspaper articles, reviews (limit 6)
- Supporting materials in the form of activity page or worksheets, teachers’ guides, pre- or
post-visit materials, etc.
- Publications, if applicable
- Photographs as applicable
Individual nominations should include the following in this order:
- Nomination abstract
- The name of the award sought by the nominee
- Nominee information
- Name and title of person who will accept the award
- Name, address, phone number and e-mail address of the nominee
- Name, address, phone number and website of his/her affiliated organization
- Nominator Information
- Name, title, phone number and email address of person making the nomination
- Abstract of individual accomplishments
- Summary of Achievement (To be used to write award citation. Please confine this summary to 100 words; provide detailed information in attached materials.)
- Impact Summary of project or individual accomplishments. (Please confine this summary to 100 words; provide detailed information in attached materials.)
- A narrative describing the accomplishments of the individual and how they relate to the particular award, how the individual has had an impact on the organization, the community, and the museum field. Give detailed examples describing how these accomplishments were exceptional and exceeded routine functions.
- At least two, but no more than four, letters of support from museum professionals, community leaders, or those who have benefited from the individual’s efforts.
- Press releases, newspaper articles, citation in professional publications or newsletters.
- Any other supporting materials that attest to the outstanding accomplishments of the nominee.
Additional Information
Mail physical nominations to:
Ohio Museums Association
OMA Awards of Achievement
800 E. 17th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43211
Fees can be paid by check, payable to The Ohio Museums Association, or by credit card using the options above.
There is no maximum number of entries each institution can submit. Winners will be notified no later than March 22, 2025.
OMA Awards of Achievement will be presented during the Ohio Museums Association's 2024 Annual Conference.
Questions can be directed to Johnna McEntee at the Ohio Museums Association office by calling 614.297.2375 or emailing [email protected].