MAAM 2026 Annual Conference

Art museums nationwide face declining attendance, aging audiences, shifting donor priorities, and competition. Yet some are growing post-pandemic by redefining relevance, access, and value. This case study shares practical strategies from the Delaware Art Museum that counter these trends and drive growth.

Through audience-centered programming, community co-creation, and mission-aligned revenue diversification, DelArt has rebuilt momentum. The presentation highlights reframing the museum as a civic asset—socially responsive, inclusive, and essential to community life. Attendees will gain actionable ideas, guiding questions, and renewed confidence to lead museums toward a more sustainable, impactful future while adapting to evolving public expectations and financial realities.

Session Takeaways:
•How to create annual SMART goals that align with your strategic plan, mission, and new initiatives while engaging staff across the organization
•Examples of reframing audience-centered, sustained engagement in a post-pandemic context
•Approaches to building authentic, long-term partnerships with both traditional and nontraditional arts and culture organizations
•Strategies for using metrics to prioritize SMART goals and expand programming while balancing your budget