Oregon Museums Association upcoming events

Meet Up - Bend! (14 Apr 2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Join us at Deschutes Historical Museum in Bend on April 14th from 6-7:30pm! This meetup is an opportunity for museums, libraries, and archives to talk about the more pressing issues facing our institutions in 2026. Over snacks and beverages, we will share and commiserate about the upcoming year.

Host: Rebekah Averette, DCHS Collections Manager
Cost: Free

2026 Pre-Conference Workshop: Illuminate the experience - A Hands-On Museum & Gallery Lighting Workshop with ERCO (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:30:00 GMT

Join ERCO for a free-flowing, hands-on workshop exporting how modern lighting technology and conservation come together in museums and galleries. Test tools, share challenges, and discuss real-world solutions - from glare and flexibility to preservation and visitor engagement. An open, collaborative session designed to spark ideas and deliver practical takeaways, regardless of institution size.

Speaker: Daniel Rory Harvey, ERCO

Location: Masonic Lodge - 145 Arthur St, Woodburn, OR 97071

Time: 8:30 - 11:30 AM

Capacity: 76

2026 Pre-Conference Workshop: Growing What Works: Sustainable Fundraising for Small and Mid-Sized Museums (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

This 3-hour workshop offers a practical framework for small and mid-sized museums to build fundraising capacity that is realistic and mission-driven. Designed for organizations with limited staff and resources, the session explores how fundraising and organizational development must grow together in order to be sustainable.

Participants will examine the distinct purposes and requirements of annual fundraising and capital campaigns. Through real-world examples, including a case study from Columbia Play Project, an emerging children’s museum, the workshop will highlight strategies that help museums move beyond short-term survival toward long-term financial stability and community support.

This interactive session will include guided discussion, practical exercises, take-home resources, and time for reflection and Q+A. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to right-size fundraising efforts, align board and staff roles, and build internal systems that support current operations and future vision.

Speakers: Catherine Diaz, Columbia Play Project, Patrick Sampson, Cogeo, and Lisa Durkin Jones, Columbia Play Project’s Learning and Engagement Director

Location: Chemeketa Classroom (120 E Lincoln St, Woodburn, OR 97071)

Time: 1 - 4 PM

Capacity: 76

2026 Pre-Conference Workshop: Planning Accessibility and Inclusion in the Face of Opposition (29 Apr 2026)

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 20:00:00 GMT

With access and inclusion under attack, organizations need to get creative on how to continue DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion) work with less or no funding. Focusing on free or nearly free options that can be rolled out within a few months, this session is designed to be collaborative.

Participants should bring a computer or phone with access to the internet.

Speaker: Katy Menne, Learner Centered Strategies

Location: Bungalow Theater - 455 N Front St, Woodburn, OR 97071

Time: 1 - 4 PM

Capacity: 40

2026 OMA + OR Heritage Conference: Evening Reception (30 Apr 2026)

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Mingle with colleagues while exploring exhibits at Woodburn Museum and enjoying appetizers from Luis’s Taqueria. Each attendee will also receive one drink ticket. Registration is requested but no additional fees to attend.

Location: Woodburn Museum & Bungalow Theater - 455 N Front St, Woodburn, OR 97071

Time: 7:00PM-9:00PM

Cost: Free

Board Governance Affinity Group (08 May 2026)

Fri, 08 May 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Welcome to a supportive space for museum board members, trustees, and advisory council members! Board service can be a solo journey, and this is a rare chance to connect with peers from other organizations. Join us to dive into the unique challenges of museum governance, share insights on strategic oversight, discuss effective fundraising, and fiduciary duties. Together we can trade best practices, problem-solve, and build a vital network of shared support for confident leadership.

Host: Nicia Ahrenholtz, Co-President of Adventure! Children's Museum
Cost: Free

Partnerships & Outreach Affinity Group (11 May 2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

This meet-up will be focused on the impact and power of outreach and community partnerships. It’s for nonprofit leaders, staff, volunteers, community advocates, and business professionals. We can discuss the art of relationship building and talk about common obstacles and strategies for working through them like building trust, recognizing cultural sensitivity, and resource needs. I hope to collaborate on best practices and learn from each other during this time together.

Host: Val Van Alstyne, Executive Director at Albany Regional Museum and OMA Board Member
Cost: Free

Programming Affinity Group (05 Jun 2026)

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Programming is a critical part of community and connection in museum work. From pre-K and lower elementary to lifelong learners and senior communities, there are countless opportunities for your programs team to share all that your institution has to offer. Let's share ideas, resources, and connections!

Host: Julia Triezenberg, Education Supervisor at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Cost: Free

Collections Affinity Group (25 Jun 2026)

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Managing a museum collection is a rewarding challenge, but it can also be daunting, overwhelming, and exhausting! So why not put our heads together and collaborate? The OMA “Collections Affinity Group” is an opportunity for collections managers, curators, registrars, and people specializing in similar positions to come together and share our triumphs, challenges, and most importantly, learn from one another!

Host: Rebekah Averette, Collections Manager of Deschutes County Museum

Cost: Free

Project Management Affinity Group (13 Jul 2026)

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Museum work is full of projects — from exhibitions and public events to community programs and cross-department collaborations — and managing them well makes all the difference. This affinity group brings together museum professionals who plan, coordinate, and deliver projects of all sizes, whether that’s part of your job or something you’ve been asked to take on along the way. We’ll share real-world tools, workflows, and lessons learned. The goal is to create a supportive space where we can problem solve together, build confidence, and strengthen project leadership skills.

Host: Tara Cole, Administrative Manager Oregon Historical Society

Cost: Free

Directors & Senior Staff Affinity Group (01 Sep 2026)

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Join fellow executive directors and senior staff for an informal affinity group focused on leading humans in 2026. Explore people-centered leadership, workplace culture, and real personnel challenges. Bring questions, wins, and tough moments to discuss with peers. Whether you lead one person or one hundred, this group offers connection, problem-solving, and shared support.

Host: Lydia Heins, Executive Director of the Coos Art Museum and OMA Board Member

Cost: Free

Programming Affinity Group (04 Sep 2026)

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Host: Julia Triezenberg, Education Supervisor at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Cost: Free

Collections Affinity Group (24 Sep 2026)

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Host: Rebekah Averette, Collections Manager of Deschutes County Museum

Cost: Free

Board Governance Affinity Group (08 Oct 2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Host: Nicia Ahrenholtz, Co-President of Adventure! Children's Museum
Cost: Free

Project Management Affinity Group (19 Oct 2026)

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Host: Tara Cole, Administrative Manager Oregon Historical Society

Cost: Free

Programming Affinity Group (04 Dec 2026)

Fri, 04 Dec 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Host: Julia Triezenberg, Education Supervisor at the Columbia River Maritime Museum

Cost: Free