CONVERGENCE: COLLABORATION AS CRITICAL STRATEGY

Museums are complex, interconnected environments where many disciplines come together in the service of the public. They are shaped as much by the communities they serve as by the people who work within them, including educators, curators, researchers, artists, cultural practitioners, activists, elders, parents, operations specialists, and administrators.

In a year marked by social, cultural, political, and technological uncertainty, MESC invites museum professionals to pause and consider a simple yet powerful question: What becomes possible when we come together to examine where our work overlaps, where we converge?

Convergence is about intersection. It is about crossing roles, departments, disciplines, institutions, and lived experiences to understand better how museum education is practiced, supported, challenged, and sustained. At a time when museum educators are being asked to do more with fewer resources, this year’s Annual Institute centers collaboration as a critical strategy for resilience, relevance, and impact.  

The Annual Institute is a one-day, in-person gathering that reflects the diversity of museums and cultural institutions across Southern California. Through workshops, panels, presentations, and roundtable discussions, participants will share concrete practices, case studies, tools, and resources that support cross-departmental collaboration, community-centered work, accessibility, advocacy, and professional sustainability.

During this one-day event, we will examine intersecting practices and voices in museum education, share strategies to advance and foster collaboration, and build a stronger network of museum educators in Southern California. 

Admission includes breakfast, lunch, and access to all conference sessions. We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Annual Institute! 

Register now to secure your spot and join us in empowering museum educators to inspire action and create change.