Previous Launchpad Sessions

Navigating the Ecosystem of Museum Careers

Tuesday, Sept 10, 6pm EST

The Launchpad Series is back this fall with the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries (AAMG), Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC), and special guest partner, the Association of Midwest Museums (AMM) to continue the conversation about navigating the museum field with purpose and clarity. Have you been curious about the diverse world of museum careers? How do various roles contribute to the vibrant ecosystem of cultural institutions?

Join us for “Navigating the Ecosystem of Museum Careers” where we will explore the multifaceted roles and opportunities within the museum sector. This comprehensive program will provide an in-depth look at how different positions within museums interconnect and contribute to the overall mission of preserving and showcasing our cultural heritage. You’ll gain valuable insights into the diverse career paths available and how each role plays a crucial part in the museum ecosystem.

Moderated By: Kristina Durocher, Visual Arts Director, University Museum of Contemporary Art, Augusta Savage Gallery, and Hampden Gallery, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Panelists: * Joy Beckman, Professor and George S. Parker II Chair in Art History, Director of the Wright Museum of Art * Despi Mayes, Technologist, Artist, Author, and Museum Professional * Carrie Heflin, Regional Sales Manager, Art Sentry

Switching Planes: Harnessing Transferable Skills for Success

April 23, 6:00pm EST/5:00pm CST

Discover practical strategies from industry leaders for leveraging your unique skill set within and outside the museum realm. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this discussion will provide valuable insights, empowering you to navigate career transitions with confidence. Learn how to recognize and apply your transferable skills effectively, communicate them to potential employers, and open doors to exciting opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to broaden your horizons and elevate your career journey.

Building a Team Culture

Tuesday, September 12, 6pm EST

What is the staff culture like at your museum? If you are a supervisor, how do you foster a collaborative team environment that elevates inclusion, professional growth and creativity? How are new staff welcomed into the existing museum “family” and how can leadership support this process?

Whether you’re a curator, an educator, an administrator, or anyone passionate about the cultural sector, attend this program for information and insight into crafting a team culture where all staff feel included, supported, and heard. Join the panelists as they explore the synergy between professional practice, camaraderie, and innovation, and discuss the creation of a museum environment where not only the exhibits shine, but the teams behind them shine even brighter.

Speakers

Youmi Efurd

Curator – Richardson Family Art Museum, Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC

Youmi Efurd, curator of the Richardson Family Art Museum, organizes and maintains Wofford College’s Fine Arts Collection and exhibitions. Originally from South Korea, she holds a BFA in Art Education from Korea University, an MA in Art History from University of Georgia, and a PhD in History of Art from the University of Kansas. With her specialty in Chinese art, Youmi Efurd uncovers the living nature of religious art as it responds to changing political, religious, and social circumstances in Chinese history. Her training in Asian languages and societies aids her research and broadens her perspective of viewing and understanding culturally significant objects. In addition to curatorial duties, she teaches Museums Studies at Wofford. Previously, she has taught classes at the University of Kansas, Furman University, USC Upstate, and Limestone College. Her recent administrative duties focus on development of educational programs for visitors to enrich their museum experiences and conservation of the college’s art collection.

Angie Albright

Executive Director – Shiloh Museum of Ozark History, Springdale, AR

Angie was born and raised in Iowa, but has called Arkansas home since 1987. She loves history, something inherited from several generations of history lovers. She was an English professor for many years before leaving academia for the nonprofit sector. She loves to travel and experience new places, whether they are major museums or humble back roads. She is mom to one grown son who inherited her love of travel and anything with melted cheese. She’s active in the community and serves on several nonprofit boards, including the NWA Food Bank, Woolsey Farmstead Advisory Committee, and Women Lead Arkansas. She also volunteers for Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Northwest Arkansas, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, and Southeastern Museums Conference. Angie is fond of saying that “everything is interesting,” and she is rarely without something to read in her hand.

2023 Resume Review and Panel Discussion – Finding Your Seat: Assessing Your Organizational Culture, April 25, 2023

SEMC and AAMG teamed up again to present this engaged program to help emergent members of either organization make moves in their careers and connect with colleagues as they prepare to enter the field.

In this installment of The Launchpad, panelists discussed different types of museum staff cultures and structures, how to decipher/deconstruct a job description and understand an organizational chart.

Taking Off – November 9th, 2022 Recording

During this moderated discussion we heard from mid-career professionals who have recently changed roles and advocated for themselves to reconnect with the field. Gain valuable knowledge from these colleagues on three primary topics:

-How to reconnect with your position, your institution, and your colleagues to combat burnout,
-How to negotiate professional growth time and enhance your work environment, and
-How to step into a new role with knowledge and confidence.

If you missed The Launchpad this past fall, you can check out the recording of our “Taking Off” webinar here:

Landing the Job – April 19th, 2022 Recording

To all those who joined us on The Launchpad Spring 2022-THANK YOU! We had so much fun putting this together and because of its success, we are looking to how we can continue to grow this programming. Thank you to the Southeastern Museums Conference for partnering with us!

If you missed The Launchpad this past spring, you can check out the recording of our “Landing the Job” webinar here:

Should you have any questions, please reach out to aacademicmg[at]gmail[dot]com.

Association of Academic Museums and Galleries

Upcoming Launchpad Sessions