Building Impactful Relationships with Community Partners

This session will explore strategies for museum professionals to advocate effectively for their institutions by building and nurturing relationships with key community partners. Museums play a vital role in the cultural and economic landscape, and it's crucial to engage with local government, state legislators, departments of economic development and tourism, and chambers of commerce to enhance this impact.

We'll discuss practical approaches for initiating and sustaining these partnerships, including how to communicate your museum's value to policymakers, align with community goals, and leverage these relationships to secure support and resources. Whether you are seeking funding or collaborative projects, this talk will provide actionable insights to help your museum thrive through strong community connections.

Speakers:

Sam Mckelvey, President & CEO, Fredericksburg Area Museum

Nathan Stalvey, Director, Clarke County Historical Association

Virginia Certificate in Museum Management Program

Certificate Track: External Affairs (Advocacy) 

Eligible for 1 credit