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Conference Summary
Ann Brownson Award
Distinguished Service Award
VAM Conference Summary
Our conference is held in March every year, and provides an opportunity for museum staff to come together for educational sessions, networking events, and career-building experiences. Our exhibit resource hall of 45-50 vendors is one of the largest among state and regional museum associations, representing museum products and services ranging from architectural firms to insurance companies and exhibit designers to food service providers. Conference speakers and participants come from museums of all sizes and disciplines, and include every experience level from museum studies graduate students to executive directors of Virginia’s largest museums. The conference is held in various areas of the state, allowing us the added benefit of experiencing the excitement and energy of local museums and historic sites in every locale.
The programs and events for the Annual Conference are determined by member-driven committees each year; these committees form in April, and all members are welcome to participate. Requests for Program Proposals are distributed in June of each year, to solicit the best in new trends, scholarship, programming, and leadership for our educational sessions. For more information, contact our program director, Jennifer Weiskotten.
Documents for Conference Committees
Ann Brownson Award
The Ann Brownson Award is given annually to an individual who has given outstanding service to the Virginia museum community and to the Virginia Association of Museums. It was established in 1999 by the Council of the Virginia Association of Museums to honor the service and accomplishments of Ann Brownson, who provided spirited and committed leadership as a member of the VAM Council from 1991-1999 and also served on the boards of many museums and cultural organizations throughout the Commonwealth.
Eligibility
· Nominee must be someone who has been active in service to the museum community during three of the past five years.
· Nominee should be an individual from outside of the professional field with a significant track record of support for museums and museum issues.
· The nominating organization or individual must be a current VAM member.
Nomination Procedure
· Any VAM member may nominate an individual for the award.
· The nomination must include information stating the reasons why this individual should be selected to receive the Ann Brownson Award (see Judging Criteria).
· Nominations must be postmarked no later than January 15 each year, and should be mailed to Award Selection Committee, Virginia Association of Museums, 200 South Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219. You may also email to mcarlock@vamuseums.org.
· The award will be presented at VAM's annual conference at the luncheon banquet.
Judging Criteria
· The Selection Committee will be looking for an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in support of museums at the board, community or government level over an extended period of time.
· Preference will be given to the individual whose support and dedication has benefited more than one museum or cultural organization.
· The individual should also have demonstrated commitment to the professional development of Virginia's museum community through support for and/or participation in the Virginia Association of Museums and its programs.
Distinguished Service Award
VAM created the Distinguished Service Award in 2007 to recognize, from time to time, outstanding career accomplishments by museum professionals in the Commonwealth. Past recipients include museum staff members retired from long and noteworthy careers in the field, and those credited with exceptional professional accomplishments, usually within the prior year.
Nomination Procedure
If you have someone you feel should receive this award, please let our Awards Selection Committee know! Nominations must be postmarked no later than January 15 each year, and should be mailed to Award Selection Committee, Virginia Association of Museums, 200 South Third Street, Richmond, VA 23219. You may also email to mcarlock@vamuseums.org.