My Time at AAM 2024: Thoughts and Reflections
Authored by: Ellie Lawson, Education Coordinator
Blast off to Baltimore, Maryland, USA! I attended the 2024 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in May. I am happy to share my thoughts and reflections on attending and presenting if you will stick around!
But, first, let me introduce AAM. AAM is the leading organization in the museum field, and it connects over 35,000 museums and museum professionals from around the world to each other daily. It is an invaluable resource to any museum and museum professional. Each year, the organization hosts their Annual Meeting where these museums, including history and art museums, science centers and zoos, cultivate community, share ideas and highlight successful projects.
This was my first time attending the Annual Meeting! Over three days, I took part in the various sessions, activities and resources on full display. This year’s theme was Thriving museums, healthy communities and, wow, did it make for an inspiring throughline of my experience.
I thought it would be fun to take you all through my experience, as I did, one day at a time.
Friday, May 17
I jumped right in on my first full day in Baltimore because, in the morning, I presented original research. My session titled, “Empowering Professionals: Mission-Driven Education & Transformative Impact,” was based on research completed at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum in Dallas, Texas, USA. The insights shared were based on surveys conducted with adult professionals, including those from law enforcement and health sectors, who attended educational training at the Museum. The findings reflected their understanding of choice, complicity, and societal responsibility. It was an incredible experience presenting to over 60 peers and colleagues. I am grateful to all who attended the session!
Saturday, May 18
Day 2 was all about the future! My favorite session this day was titled, “TrendsWatch: Navigating A Volatile Future.” Presented by the AAM Vice President of Strategic Foresight and Founding Director of the Center for the Future of Museums, this dynamic session took the audience through the 2024 TrendsWatch report (download for free here). The report lays out rapid trends affecting the museum field including artificial intelligence (AI), climate change, loneliness and culture wars. As a Holocaust historian and educator, I found trends in AI especially thought-provoking as I considered the benefits and dangers of integrating the technology into the work I do. After attending the session, I had many thoughts, ideas and questions that I continue to ponder, but I will leave you with one: We, as professionals and as organizations, must thoughtfully progress with our colleagues or we will bear the consequences of unturned stones and archaic ideas.
Sunday, May 19
On the final day of AAM 2024, I became inspired! I attended two sessions delivered by art museum professionals about successful school partnerships and the power of “slow-looking.” I believe one of the greatest benefits to being in the museum field is its intersectionality of topics, themes and concepts. While the VHEC is a history museum not an art one, we can gain insight from our colleagues in the art world. More specifically, we begin to understand the nuances and complexities of offering educational opportunities to our communities.
AAM 2024 was unforgettable! I met new friends, learned new strategies and grew as a professional. I am grateful to my colleagues at the VHEC for allowing me to take some time to travel to Baltimore. I made sure to bring back stacks of resources for them to enjoy!
If you see me at the Centre or at our various programs, feel free to say hello and ask me more about my time at AAM 2024!