Call for Proposals | Appel de propositions

The Future is Collaboration

The time has come to address the permeability of museum walls. Museums have been facing an increasing demand to be centres of community reflection while also addressing decreasing operational support. Can opening our processes to the community, but also to each other, help us meet our goals?

The recent landmark reports, Moved to Action and Reconsidering Museums, both call for museums to increase community engagement, access and authority in museum spaces, which this conference will explore.

However, we will also need to improve our eco-system of support and strengthen our networks to get the job done. How can we increase collaboration within the cultural heritage sector and between our institutions?

Join us April 9-11, 2024 as we come together in Niagara Falls to build our community connection and prepare for a future of collaboration.

Sub-themes and Content Tracks
In addition to contributing to the main conference theme, proposed panels must fit one or more of the following sub-themes and content tracks.

The "Future is Collaboration" conference theme focuses on innovative approaches to museums governance, exhibits, fundraising, and diversity and inclusion, climate action and support for Indigenous self-determination. The conference will bring together professionals from different backgrounds to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by museums as we seek to build these networks, particularly outside of museum walls. The conference also highlights small museums' critical role in shaping the future of museums, providing opportunities for these institutions to enhance their capacity to create and deliver programs that resonate with diverse communities.

Themes:

• Climate Change and Sustainability
• Indigenous Self-Determination and UNDRIP
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Tracks:

• Museum Governance
• Financial Development and Advocacy
• Exhibition Planning and Engagement
• Small Museum Operations

Session Formats:

ROUNDTABLE (60 mins): Roundtables are typically limited to 30 minutes of presentation, followed by 30 minutes of discussion and feedback. Presenters should bring targeted questions to pose to others at the table in order to learn from and with those attending.

TRADITIONAL PANEL (60 mins): Three or four presenters and moderator.

WORKING GROUPS (2 hrs): In these seminar-like conversations between facilitators and up to 40 discussants, participants discuss questions raised by specific programs, problems, or initiatives in their own museum practice with peers grappling with similar issues. Before and during the meeting, working groups articulate a purpose they are working toward or a problem they are actively trying to solve and aim to create an end product(s).

Individual proposals will also be accepted and grouped together on a panel by the Conference Committee.

Selection Criteria:

Priority will be given to submissions that are relevant to the themes and tracks, are clear and well developed and confirm a commitment from the presenters to deliver a high-quality session that includes interaction, participation, or discussion with the audience.

The CMA is a bilingual organization. Presentations may be given in English or French, and bilingual sessions are welcome.

You do not have to be a member to submit your proposal but you will need to create a profile to do so. However, should your proposal be accepted, please note that all participants at the annual meeting must be members of the CMA.

Submission Process:

The 2024 submission process will be divided into a Two-Phase process.

Phase One: Submission of interest for panels and presenters. These Submissions of Interest will be short-listed and successful candidates will be asked to submit a full proposal.

Note that we require all candidates to who are submitting to Phase One be committed to attending the 2024 National Conference in Niagara Falls.

Phase Two: Short listed candidates will be notified by June 23 and will be asked to submit a full proposal by August 24.

Successful proposals will be confirmed by Fall 2023.