Welcome to MAAM 2026!
Welcome to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and the 2026 MAAM Annual Conference! Whether this is your first MAAM conference or you've been part of our community for years, we're delighted you've joined us on the historic campus of Rutgers University for a few days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
As co-chairs of the 2026 Annual Conference, it has been our privilege to work alongside so many thoughtful and dedicated museum professionals. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted session proposals. The creativity, innovation, and passion reflected in this year's submissions are a reminder of the incredible work happening throughout our field, and we're excited for you to experience it firsthand.
We're also deeply grateful to the members of the Program, Local Arrangements, Awards, and Sponsorship Committees. Their countless volunteer hours have shaped every aspect of this conference. We also thank the MAAM Board of Directors for their leadership and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for our museum community to learn, grow, and connect.
This year, we're gathering at Rutgers University, one of the nation's oldest institutions of higher education. For more than 250 years, this campus has been a place where ideas have been explored, challenged, and transformed. Surrounded by students, scholars, and a spirit of discovery, we're reminded that museums, too, are places of inquiry—where we ask questions, share knowledge, and inspire lifelong learning.
While you're here, we hope you'll take time to explore New Brunswick and the surrounding region. From its thriving arts and cultural scene to its diverse restaurants, the city offers plenty to discover. New Jersey's history is equally remarkable—home to pivotal moments in the American Revolution, generations of innovation and industry, and communities whose stories continue to shape the nation. We hope your time here inspires you both inside and outside the conference.
We've worked hard to create a program that is thoughtful, practical, and energizing, but your feedback is invaluable. Please share your thoughts through session evaluations, conversations with fellow attendees, or by connecting with MAAM staff and volunteers throughout the conference. Your insights help us continue to strengthen this gathering and ensure it reflects the evolving needs of our museum community.
Thank you for being part of MAAM 2026. We hope you leave New Brunswick with fresh ideas, new connections, and renewed enthusiasm for the important work museums do every day.
Nicholas West, {At Large Representative}
Co-director, University Museums, Colgate UniversityTonika Berkley {At Large Representative}
Africana Archivist for Special Collections, JHU Sheridan Libraries
MAAM Board Members and 2026 Conference Co-Chairs
