Museum Innovation Award

This award is given each year at the VAM Annual Conference to a museum that demonstrates a commitment to using 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 that effect both the museum field and our world at large.

Eligibility

Institutions may nominate themselves and their own projects, or may be nominated by an individual not associated with the museum. Nominated institutions must be current members in good standing with the Virginia Association of Museums. 

Nomination Process & Criteria

In order to nominate a museum, please complete a video three minutes in length or less describing the project or site you are nominating, and why this project or site should win. In addition, you will complete a basic nomination form where you can upload any additional documentation you think would be helpful.

In each case, a successful nomination will include evidence of the impact that the museum’s innovative programs have had in furthering any of the following focus areas:

Diversity and Inclusion:

• Demonstrating how the museum has succeeded in creating a more diverse staff and/or audience and created a more inclusive environment that reflects this achievement.

Expanding a Museum’s Audience:

• Demonstrating how the museum has succeeded in expanding their traditional audience for the museum and programming.
  

 Community Engagement:

• Demonstrating that the museums is using their position of trust and knowledge within their community to engage with community groups and organizations on current issues, and that the community has responded with that engagement in a substantive manner. A successful nomination will reveal how the museum fosters not only greater community participation but also how community members help direct and create the engagement the museum seeks. 

*Nominations will be accepted until Friday, February 12th, 2027*

Decision Process

All nominations will be reviewed prior to and at our 2027 Annual Conference by our VAM member community using our mobile app. 

The recipient(s) of the Innovation Award will receive:

• A physical commemorative award
• Public recognition at the 2027 VAM Annual Conference
• Recognition on the VAM website and in official VAM communication, including our newsletter and social media

NOMINATION FORM

Our 2026 Innovation Award Winner

Created and produced by the Robert Russa Moton Museum and its partners, The Barbara Johns Story website was awarded in recognition of its groundbreaking approach to digital interpretation, collaborative development model, and transformative impact on museum based education. Congratulations!