Dear VAM Community,

For more than five decades, the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM) has been dedicated to supporting Virginia’s museums, cultural organizations, and the professionals who make them thrive. Thanks to the continued support of our members, VAM has been able to provide valuable professional development opportunities, advocacy, networking, resources, and community connections that strengthen our field.

To ensure that we can continue to deliver high-quality programs and services while responding to the evolving needs of Virginia’s museum community, VAM will implement updated individual, institutional, and business membership rates effective August 15, 2026.

This adjustment marks our first membership rate increase in more than ten years. During that time, VAM has worked hard to keep membership affordable while expanding benefits, programs, and opportunities for our members. As operating costs continue to rise, this change will help ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the organization.

What this means for you:

• New membership rates will take effect on August 15, 2026.
• Renew or join before August 15, 2026, to take advantage of current membership rates for your next membership term.
• VAM will continue to offer affordable membership options for individuals, museums, and organizations of all sizes.
• VAM will offer new Business-level memberships with added value and benefits.
• Membership will continue to provide valuable benefits, including discounted registration for workshops and the Annual Conference; access to regional meet-ups, professional development opportunities, and networking with colleagues across the Commonwealth; involvement in advocacy efforts; and exclusive member resources.

Over the past year, VAM has strengthened the quality, accessibility, and relevance of its professional development offerings by collaborating with members, partners, and subject matter experts to deliver timely, practical learning opportunities. Through workshops and webinars, museum professionals have gained actionable tools, strategies, and resources that can be immediately applied within their organizations. Recent programs have explored topics such as fundraising, advocacy, collections stewardship, tourism partnerships, leadership, and self-care, addressing both the operational needs of museums and the personal well-being of the professionals who support them. These efforts reflect VAM’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful, high-impact educational experiences that help museums and their staff thrive.

The growth of our Annual Conference reflects the strength of Virginia’s museum community. In March 2026, museum professionals, students, volunteers, businesses, and cultural leaders gathered in Williamsburg to celebrate America’s 250th, demonstrating the value of sharing ideas, building connections, and addressing opportunities and challenges in our field.

Looking ahead, VAM is beginning development of our 2027–2031 Strategic Plan. Members and stakeholders will be invited to participate in listening sessions to provide feedback that will shape priorities, programs, and services for the next five years.

As the field evolves, VAM remains committed to building on this momentum. Increased membership support will allow us to expand workshops, virtual learning, regional networking, peer engagement, and resources that help museums of all sizes thrive. This investment will strengthen programming, advocacy, support for emerging professionals, and opportunities for collaboration, while ensuring VAM remains responsive, sustainable, and forward-looking.

Thank you for being an important part of VAM. Your membership supports the strength, resilience, and future of museums across the Commonwealth. We look forward to continuing this work together.

Sincerely,

The Virginia Association of Museums