Hello MRC members,

A big hello from Minneapolis! Hope you have had a good summer and are gearing up for fall.  I’m not ready for summer to be wrapping up yet! As fall is getting closer, so too is the 2021 AMM Virtual Conference, which will be November 1-5.  Here are details from the AMM website:

We look forward to hosting you online for Museums Evolving 2.0, our 2021 Virtual Conference! Museums Evolving 2.0 will be all-virtual and flexible, with both on-demand and live opportunities.

The program will include access to 40+ pre-recorded breakout sessions made available before and after the live event for learning at your own pace, when it is convenient for you. The live experience will take place mornings, November 1-5, and be centered around the peer-to-peer exchange we look forward to at conferences—plus inspirational talks, networking activities, and opportunities for Q&A with breakout session presenters. You’ll also have access to a virtual expo highlighting new exhibitions, behind-the scenes tours, product demos, and a myriad of other projects from Midwest museums and service providers.

To learn more about the Virtual Conference Schedule, visit https://www.ammconference.org/program/schedule/.

There are two pricing models this year.  The All-Inclusive Package includes the breakout session library, Virtual Expo, keynotes, and networking sessions for $100 for members; $50 for students and furloughed museum workers.  The Breakout Session Library Package includes only the pre-recorded breakout sessions (available up to three months after the conference dates) and the Virtual Expo for $50 for members, and free for students and furloughed museum workers.

As the 2020 conference was cancelled, the MRC has not awarded travel stipends since 2019.  This year, the Board and I are pleased to announce that the MRC will be awarding NINE stipends for the 2021 virtual conference:  Six stipends of $100 each will be offered that will cover full virtual conference registration fees; three stipends of $50 each will cover full registration for students/furloughed museum workers, breakout session library access only, or half of the fees for the full conference. 

Visit our Grants and Travel page to download the application for the 2021 MRC conference stipends.  Please keep in mind that all recipients of conference stipends will be expected to write one article for the MRC Courier about a session at the conference.  Also note that we’ve streamlined the application requirements a little this year, so your statement can be shorter, and we are only requiring one letter of recommendation. We would love to have student applicants as well, so if you have any interns or know of deserving students who are interested in registration and collections management, please encourage them to apply. 

All applicants must be MRC members, but applicants may join MRC at the time of their application submission. If you’re unsure of your membership status, please contact the MRC Secretary, Linda Endersby, endersbyl@missouri.edu. The deadline for applications will be October 1, 2021.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at lory@artsmia.org. We look forward to reviewing your applications!  Hope to “see” you at the conference!

All kind regards,

Leslie Ory Lewellen
MRC Vice-Chair