October 2019
VAM News
VAM to launch Museum Innovation Award

T his award will be given each year at the annual conference to a museum that demonstrates a commitment to use their platform as a trusted source of information to build relationships with and create meaningful impact within their community, and begin conversations around important topics affecting the museum field and the world at large.  In each area, a successful nomination will include evidence of the impact that the museum’s innovative programs have had in furthering any of these areas. Watch for information on how to nominate a museum, to come in November.
Learn more on the VAM website here.

VAM Member Survey

VAM is doing a member survey this fall! We need input from both our individual members and institutional members to help with future advocacy and professional development efforts, so watch your inbox for the survey details and invitation. We will be rewarding you for helping us gather information about our members and museums. Everyone who responds will get a coupon code for $10 off a workshop, and will also be entered to win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards!  

Upcoming Events
VAM members are invited to the Fall MeetUp at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Thursday, October 3. Visit this amazing architectural site and get a special tour of the museum's new galleries with museum staff. A VAM Happy Hour follows at the nearby  Brew Republic Bierwerks .

The VAM FAll worksop schedule will be released soon. Stay Tuned!
Member News
The 2019 Commemoration is holding the Women's Achieve Summit in Richmond on October 14-15. (The Summit follows the dedication of the Women's Monument on October 14th in Capitol Square.) For more information visit the F acebook page .

Detective Work: Solving the Mysteries of Civil War Graffiti
On November 2, The Northern Virginia Civil War Graffiti Trail will host “Beneath the Paint: Civil War Graffiti Symposium” at Historic Blenheim and the Civil War Interpretive Center to examine the history of Civil War graffiti. This day of talks will examine the history of Civil War graffiti and the stories that unfold from the soldiers' enduring writings. Details here

Cool news from our member Glencoe Museum in Radford! Read about heir new railroad observation platform here !

The Museum of the United States Army is months away from opening but they are doing some incredible work preparing for the grand opening! Read about their ongoing exhibit installation here. We will at the Army Museum for an evening event during the 2020 VAM Conference.

Congratulations to the Science Museum of Virginia for their Grant to Empower "Citizen Scientists." The t hree-year project will study air quality in Richmond neighborhoods, Including the booming Scott’s Addition area.

Congratulations to the following VAM members who received Museums for America IMLS grants: Gunston Hall , Monticello , Science Museum of Virginia , Chrysler Museum of Art , and the Dumbarton House.

Featured VAMONDE Story of the Month:

Want to create a story on VAM’s Virginia Museums App Channel? Learn how! And link to: https://www.vamuseums.org/vam-powered-by-vamonde

Hails & Farewells
Farewell to Charlotte Whitted who plans to retire later this year from the Crab Orchard Museum. We wish her the best!

Congratulations to Lori Kimball for being named the new Executive Director of the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum.
Professional Development Opportunities
The NEDCC presents a workshop entitled: Capturing The Past: Identification and Care of Photographs. November 8th in Greensboro, NC. Register here.

The American Association for State and Local History announces the History Leadership Institute for 2020.

Visit VAM's website for additional opportunities. 
Funding & Marketing Opportunities
Virginia Tourism Corporation Marketing Leverage Program
Applications are now open! Application deadline is December 17, 2019 . Apply here .

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is offering grant opportunities for their Museum Assessment Program(MAP) MAP is designed to help museums assess their strengths and weaknesses, and plan for the future. Applications are due December 1, 2019
Apply here .

Also from IMLS there will be six opportunities in the coming months to apply for grants from the nation’s primary source of federal museum funding. IMLS is now accepting applications fo r the following six grant programs:

·     Museums for America
·     Museums Empowered


The GRAMMY Museum Grant Program awards grants each year to organizations and individuals to support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of North America. Funding supports research projects, and archiving and preservation projects and resources. A letter of inquiry deadline is October 15. Apply here .
Headlines
Sackler money complicates donation policies for museums.
Accepting money from the Sacklers, the billionaire dynasty notorious for its ties to the drug company Purdue Pharma, is somewhat complicated. Read about the issue here .
Career Center
Search VAM's Career Center for information on the only museum management certificate offered by a museum association plus resume help and job listings.


  • Exhibit Technician
  • History Museum Aide
  • Museum Director
  • Collections Intern
  • And more!
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Do you have news to share? Contact us at membership@vamuseums.org
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