WEBINARS       

Natural Science Collections Alliance, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections and American Institute of Biological Sciences Webinar
Natural History Collections and Repatriation: Beyond NAGPRA 
December 8, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)
Please join us for an information session about repatriation and how it relates to natural history collections held at museums, herbaria, and other institutions. We will be joined by a wide array of speakers who will share their perspectives on and experiences with repatriation, including cases for voluntary return. The program will delve into a zoological and a botanical case study of ethical return.  zoology, botany, geology, paleontology).

Backlog Webinar
Record Lifecycle 
December 8, 2025, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
This webinar will walk through the lifecycle of a record and how it ends up in an archive or not. There are multiple models for conveying the lifecycle of a record, but this webinar will focus on the four-phase approach of record creation, active use, semi-active use, and final disposition.

GrantStation Webinar ($39)
Creating AI Policies for Your Organization 
December 8, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)  
Alice Ruhnke and David Gates will help you begin the process of creating AI policies tailored to your organization’s needs. You’ll learn key considerations and strategies for establishing a framework that guides AI use responsibly and sustainably.

Oregon Museum Association Webinar
Collections Policy 101 
December 9, 2025, 11:00 a.m. (AZ)
Melanie Deer, Collections Manager and Assistant NAGPRA Coordinator at the Center for Archaeology and Society Repository at Arizona State University, will break down aspects of a collections policy based on John Simmon’s “Things Great and Small.” By the end of the presentation you will be able to identify what sections you need to include and have confidence in starting.

Council of Regional Associations Webinar
Some Good (Museum) News - Holiday Edition 
December 9, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)  
Hear about the amazing people out there advancing the mission of their museums, get inspired by museum "wins," and celebrate the opportunities we've had to gather as a community in a year of new obstacles. 

Henry Stewart DAM Events The Invisible DAM: Making Asset Management Disappear 
December 10, 2026, 10:00 a.m. (AZ)
This session explores the paradox at the heart of modern DAM: the more powerful you make it for creative professionals, the more intimidating it becomes for everyone else.

Firespring Webinar
Why Your Annual Report Should Be a Marketing Tool and Not a Snooze Fest 
December 10, 2025, 9:00 a.m. (AZ)  
Includes tips for writing and designing reports that connect, insights on what to include (and what to skip), and tools to make your next report memorable and meaningful.

American Association for State and Local History Virtual Workshop
Strengthening History Communication: Reframing the Value of Your Institution 
December 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m. (AZ)
Drawing on research from AASLH’s Reframing History project, this workshop will help you communicate with public audiences more effectively and build a wider understanding of the value of history and history organizations. This workshop will include an overview of research findings, discussions about major challenges in communicating history with colleagues from around the country, and an opportunity to begin crafting your own communications materials.

American Association for State and Local History Webinar
Youth250 and the Power of Teen Partnership in Cultural Spaces 
December 11, 2025, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)
Learn about the Youth250 Teen Toolkit, a practical resource, co-created by Made by Us and History Co:Lab, that helps organizations move away from a transactional model of teen outreach and toward relationships built on trust, shared problem-solving, and the joy of making meaning together. 

Texas Historical Commission Webinar
Stronger Together: Building Meaningful Communities of Practice for Museum Teams 
December 11, 2025, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)
Attendees will hear from leaders of Lubbock, Texas’ cultural heritage sector, who developed a practice of bringing institutions together to problem solve and proactively plan. Laura Casey, museum consultant and former coordinator for Texas Historical Commission’s Museum Services program, will provide practical insight and inspiration for creating your own network of support within your community.

Cultural Access Collaborative
Sense & Support:  Building Meaningful Sensory Kits 
December 11, 2025, 11:00 a.m. (AZ)
Learn the basics of creating thoughtful, effective sensory kits that serve all five senses. Hear from experienced professionals on what makes a successful sensory tool, and dig deeper into how organizations can create and distribute these supports for their communities.

Open Copyright Advisory Education Advisory Net (OCEAN) Webinar
Providing AI Guidance, Education and Information to Your Organization 
December 12, 2025, 10:00 a.m. (AZ)  
The final session of the series ties together everything that we’ve discussed so far and offers practical guidance on how to communicate the key concepts and best practices, and how they might apply to your particular type of organization, to your colleagues and patrons.

Association of Art Museum Curators
Working With: University Museums and Small Institutions 
December 16, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)

Smithsonian Learning Lab
Exploring our Sightlines: Integrating Local Stories across Subject Areas 
December 17, 2025, 2:00 p.m. (AZ)  
Join the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s Education Team to explore a new virtual tour experience based on the exhibition Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond.

American Alliance of Museums Webinar
From Numbers to Narratives: Exploring the Annual Snapshot Survey 
December 18, 2025, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Understanding the U.S. History Sector 
January 7, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues. Attendees will gain information to help strengthen their institutions and make the case for importance of the history community to varied stakeholders. 

NISE Network Webinar
2.50 Million Acts of Science Online Workshop 
January 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)
SciStarter will discuss how to get involved in Acts of Science: CONNECTED, a project including  thousands of volunteers worldwide for Citizen Science Month 2026. 

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Doing History in Polarized Times 
January 14, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues and will explore recent research and tested strategies to help history practitioners work more effectively in today’s fractious discourse.

Backlog Webinar 
Accession, Acquisition, & Appraisal 
January 19, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
In this webinar, we will walk through what each term means in archival practice and how they work together to shape both collection development and archival processing. We will look at the practical implications of each concept, from initial contact with a donor or department through formal acceptance, documentation, and long term stewardship.

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Understanding the U.S. History Workforce 
January 21, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues.   Attendees will learn about data and insights that can support making informed decisions, advocate for needed change, and building more sustainable institutions through this clearer, more complete picture of the people who power the history sector.

American Association for State and Local History Webinar
Introduction to the AASLH Awards Program 
January 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. 

Backlog Webinar 
Metadata 101 
January 26, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
In this webinar, we will break down what metadata actually is, why it matters, and how archivists use it to describe, manage, and preserve collections. We will walk through core concepts, common standards, and practical examples that connect directly to day to day archival work.

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations 
January 28, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues.   Attend this webinar to gain a deeper understanding of the risks an organization should consider and how to mitigate them.

American Association for State and Local History Webinar
Documenting Historic Cemeteries 
January 29, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)
The webinar will explore both digital and non-digital resources available through a variety of repositories such as topographical maps, Works Projects Administration surveys, and Eagle Scout projects to help researchers uncover information on previous documentation efforts while uncovering other potential avenues to further expand the breadth of documentary materials.

Backlog Webinar
Archival Loans 
February 2, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
This webinar will walk you through the full process of managing collection loans in museums and archives, from the initial request to the return of materials. We will cover how to evaluate what can be loaned, how to prepare items for travel or display, and what documentation you need at every stage. You will learn how to build clear policies, communicate expectations with borrowing institutions, and protect your collections through condition reporting, packing standards, and loan agreements.

NISE Network Webinar 
Young People Co-creating STEM Engagement Projects  
February 3, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)
During this online workshop, we will hear from partners who have developed and implemented a variety of programs, exhibits and games that have empowered youth to help shape the future for their communities. Presenters will discuss strategies for working with young people, including how to build their confidence to engage the public in science exploration and how to create a sense of ownership, belonging, and STEM identity. 

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Preparing for the U.S. 250th at History Organizations 
February 4, 2026, 1:00 p.m  (AZ)
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues.   Attend this webinar to learn about general approaches to commemoration and to the 250th in particular; the landscape of 250th planning at the local, state, and national levels; and conceptual and concrete tools available to help your organization participate.

Blue Avocado Webinar
Understanding Nonprofit Law – Practical Guidance for Nonprofit Leaders  
February 5, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)  
Elizabeth Schmidt, author of Rules of the Road for Nonprofit Leaders: Using the Law to Achieve Your Mission, will lead a discussion that includes why it is important to lead with the mission, governance and fiduciary duties, legalities surrounding advocacy work and the value of proper documentation and public disclosure.

American Association for State and Local History Core Issues Briefing
Engaging Younger Generations 
February 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m. (AZ)  
This webinar is part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series, which offers consolidated access to the latest research, insights, and guidance on responding to the history sector’s most pressing issues.   Attendees to this webinar will hear directly from Made By Us leadership about research and insights that can help history organizations more effectively appeal to and serve youth audiences.

Backlog Webinar
Restricted Materials 
March 2, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
This webinar will walk you through how to identify restricted materials, document the reasons for restriction, and manage access in a way that supports both ethical stewardship and institutional transparency. We will talk about common restriction categories, how to communicate restrictions to researchers, and how to build policies that balance privacy, legal requirements, and user needs.

American Association for State and Local History Webinar
Outdoor History Walking Tours 101 
April 2, 2026, 12:00 p.m. (AZ)
Aja Bain, AASLH’s Director of Professional Development and Publications and a Nashville walking tour guide for ten years, for a nuts and bolts look into what makes a great historic walking tour, and how your site can develop memorable and immersive experiences for visitors no matter your location or budget.

Backlog Webinar
Knowledge Management 
April 6, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
In this webinar, we will outline what knowledge management is, how it differs from archives, and why it often becomes the precursor to a successful archival program. We will talk about practical ways to map institutional knowledge, build documentation, and create repeatable systems that reduce risk and support long term memory for your organization.

Backlog Webinar
Shoestring Digital Preservation 
May 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (AZ)
In this webinar, we will walk through realistic, budget friendly steps that museums and archives can take to protect digital files, stabilize at risk media, and build sustainable workflows over time. We will focus on simple tools, clear decision making, and low cost practices that still align with professional standards.

 

MEETINGS, CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS   

MuseumNext
MuseumNext Forecast 
December 17-28, 2025

MuseumNext
Museum Wellness Summit 
January 28 to January 29, 2026

Small Museum Association
42nd Annual Conference: Climate Change 
February 16 to 18, 2026
The Yorktowne Hotel, York, Pennsylvania

Museum Trustees Association Spring Forum 
February 19–22, 2026
Naples, FL 

MuseumNext 
Green Museums Summit 
February 25 to February 26, 2026

Southeastern Regional Conservation Association 2026 Annual Meeting
Out-of-the-Box! The Use of Non-Traditional Methods, Materials, and Practices in the Care and Preservation of Cultural Heritage 
February 27-March 1, 2026
Cherokee NC

American Association for State and Local History Workshop
Reimagining the History House Museum 
March 9, 2026
Nashville TN
This one-day workshop includes an analysis of the most important opportunities and threats facing historic sites in America based on the latest social and economic research, with a discussion on how they may relate to the participants’ house museum.

Tri-National Sonoran Symposium
March 9-12, 2026
Ajo AZ

Association of Children's Museums
InterActivity 2026 
April 21-23, 2026
San Diego, CA

The American Alliance of Museums 
2026 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo 
May 20 to May 23, 2026 
Philadelphia, PA 

2026 Ecsite Conference
June 2 to 4, 2026
Gothenburg, Sweden

Association of African American Museums Annual Conference 
August 19 – 21, 2026
Philadelphia, PA

 

COURSES    

American Association for State and Local History Online Courses  
January 12 – February 8, 2026: Introduction to Financial Management 
January 12 – February 8, 2026: Project Management for History Professionals 
January 12 – March 8, 2026: Basics of Archives 
January 12 – March 8, 2026: Collections Management 100: Collection Development 
January 12 – March 8, 2026: Developing Exhibitions: Planning and Design 
January 12 – March 8, 2026: Museum Education and Outreach

The Center for Collections Care Online Courses 
January 8-29, 2026: Fundamentals of Collections Care (Level 1)                  
March 18-April 8, 2026: NAGPRA in Practice (Level 2)                      
April 8-May 6, 2026:  Culturally Informed Collections Stewardship (Level 1)        
September 10-October 1, 2026: Fundamentals of Collections Management (Level 1)                     

Gawain Weaver Online Course
Care and Identification of Photographs  October 6 - November 23, 2025
This 7-week online workshop is an introduction to the history, identification, and preservation of photographic materials. Participants will acquire hands-on identification skills and learn practical photograph preservation techniques. Using handheld 60x microscopes and the Basic Photographic Sample Set of photographic and photomechanical samples, they will learn how a variety of processes were created, why they look the way they do, and how they deteriorate. Knowledge about photographic processes is essential to their preservation and leads to a greater appreciation of the aesthetics and history of photographic prints.

American Association for State and Local HistoryArcus Leadership Program Courses
Specifically designed for emerging and mid-level professionals and volunteers, these self-paced courses help participants understand the most critical topics in the history field and incorporate that understanding into their work. Start these courses any time.
Accessibility for Historical Organizations 
Creating Engaging Social Media Content for History Organizations 
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for History Organizations 
Foundational Principles of LGBTQ+ Inclusion 
Introduction to Fundraising 
Introduction to Indigenous History 
Program Planning for Nonprofits

Wild Apricot Online Course
Marketing Your Nonprofit 
Six-week eCourse to help  nonprofits improve their marketing capabilities and learn to build a comprehensive strategy.   Course includes 6 emails, one focused lesson per email with tools, templates and worksheets for hands-on learning.

GrantStation 
Turbocharge Your Grantwriting Skills ($399)
7 units guide you through the entire grant proposal process step-by-step. You’ll learn how to craft an organizational background, compelling statement of need, process and outcome evaluation, approach, and budget with detailed videos, downloads, examples, and other resources. 

Finding New Sources of Funding in Challenging Times
Think beyond traditional sources of financial support to fund cultural resource projects. Learn how to evaluate a cultural resource project for its value in serving broader community needs. Review traditional funding types versus alternative sources that can be redirected to meet project goals. 
(On demand)

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) Online Course
Museum Collections Documentation and Data Cleaning
Provides essential museum documentation information for museum staff with all levels of knowledge. It begins with an introductory overview and ends with specific documentation issues. Learners can take the modules in order or choose a module or two that fits their needs.
(On demand)

Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) Online Course
Preservation Housekeeping for Heritage Sites and Small Museums
Covers guidelines, best practices and resources for the regular upkeep of historic interiors and exteriors as well as the contents of historic buildings. This one- to two-hour self-paced course has been designed for those who work or volunteer in small museums or heritage sites and who have little to no training in conservation.
(On demand)