Museum Workers Advocacy Day 2024
March 26 & 27, 2024We invite museum workers of all specialties and levels of experience, as well as those who support museum workers to participate in advocating for themselves and the industry through equitable changes like salary transparency and the adoption of living wages.
Schedule of Events
Revamping Your Resume
March 26, 8:30 - 9:30am EasternCrafting an effective resume and cover letter is a vital part of the job search. Join this resume and cover letter-writing workshop. After the session, attendees will also have the opportunity to submit their own resume and cover letter for feedback as part of the NEMPN Community Committee’s Resume Review in April.Hosted by:
- Michele Endean, NEMPN Treasurer
Whistleblowing 101: What to Flag and Where to Go
March 26, 11:30 - 12:30pm EasternJoin us for a session focused on whistleblowing basics! Are you aware that HR might not always be your ally? Curious about what issues are within your rights to whistleblow on? Delve into crucial insights on navigating workplace concerns ethically and effectively. From understanding legal boundaries to identifying the right channels for voicing your concerns, this event equips you with the knowledge you need to make a difference.Hosted by:
- Kelsey Brow, NEMPN Co-President, Executive Director, King Manor Museum
- Katey Bierman-Clinton, NEMPN Director of Operations, Collections Manager & Archivist, Fair Lane
- Roberto Chavez, New York City-based museum educator
So you want to be an IMP…
March 26, 1 - 2pm EasternConsidering making the jump from payroll to your own consulting practice? Maybe you want to try consulting now, rather than waiting until you’ve put years into working in-house in museum. What are the first steps? What are the common pitfalls? Are there secrets to success? Join three museum consultants who have made the transition away from institutional jobs, one recently and two years ago. This honest and informal conversation could inspire you to—or talk you out of—going out on your own. Includes resources and checklists for people new to consulting. Developed with IMP, a national network of independents.Hosted by:
- Melody Cabán, Founder, Melody Cabán Consulting
- Laura B. Roberts, Principal, Roberts Consulting
- Betsy Loring, Founder, ExpLoring Exhibits & Engagement, LLC
Workshopping Great Government Advocacy with EMP Canada Collective
March 26, 6 - 7pm EasternHear about case studies of EMP Canada Collective’s direct advocacy with the Canadian federal government and participate in a short workshop where we break down letter-writing to government officials.Hosted by:
- Madeline Smolarz, Founder & Co-Administrator
- Krystal Newcombe, Co-Administrator & Advocacy Ad-Hoc Committee Lead
- Ana Villegas, Communications Committee Lead
Mocha Moment
March 27, 9 - 10:30am Eastern
Connect with us over a cup of coffee or tea to reflect on Tuesday’s sessions and share your thoughts with other EMPs. Consider this your virtual coffee chat or water cooler time, and come meet other EMPs like you!Hosted by:
- Jessica Meis, NEMPN Director of Marketing and Communications, Batavia Depot Museum Curator
- Veronica Bellocci, NEMPN Co-President
Ask an Independent Museum Professional (IMP)
March 27, 2 - 3pm Eastern
Independent Museum Professionals (IMPs) working in a variety of roles share their experiences of how they got to be an IMP, challenges and successes, what they see as the current landscape for IMPs, and bust some misconceptions. Bring your questions!Panelists will include:
- Claudia Ocello, President & CEO, Museum Partners Consulting, LLC
- Rachel Ropeik, educator | adventurer | facilitator | experience builder | pirate
- Uma Nair, Museum Operations Specialist, The Strategic Museum
- Kheli Willetts, Principal and Founder, Dira Professional Development, LLC
- Rita Deedrick, Founder and Principal, Deedrick Consulting, LLC
- Rachel Gibson, Founder and Consultant, Modern Museum Education
Ways to Participate
Postcard Campaign
We want to show large regional museums how many museum professionals want them commit to changes in equity: salary transparency on their job postings, not supporting unpaid internships, and offering, at minimum, living wages for staff.Join us in a postcard mail-in to share our thoughts with these institutions! You can request your own pack of postcards to fill out yourself or donate to have someone fill out and send out postcards on your behalf! Postcards will be mailed out in April.
MWAD Merch
Snag some limited edition merch in support of museum workers.All proceeds support NEMPN Advocacy Committee work throughout the year, including the Salary Transparency initiative, Unpaid Internship Stipend Program, and more!
Salary Transparency Database
Hosted by NEMPN's Advocacy CommitteeFollowing the immensely helpful salary transparency spreadsheet from Art + Museum Transparency in 2019, NEMPN is providing more salary transparency support! Submit your salary (current and past) to our database, review salary data, and report job postings without salary information to have NEMPN reach out to the institution.All are free and accessible.
Partners & Sponsors
Museum Workers Advocacy Day wouldn't be possible without the support of these fantastic partners and sponsors.
