CAM 2023: On Common Ground

2023 Annual CAM Conference is in Oakland, CA from March 8-11.

On Common Ground
The last several years have brought about unprecedented change in the museum field, reflecting the shifts in society at large. From revenue streams uprooted by the pandemic and public safety measures, to a renewed focus on race, equity, and labor that have caused deep reflection and changes to entrenched practices, the recent themes of museum work have been rooted in change. In 2023, museum professionals from across California will be ready to come together and look forward to how we can embrace those changes and move forward as a field.

The 2023 CAM conference, On Common Ground, will take place in Oakland, March 8–11, 2023. Museums and museum professionals have experienced extraordinary changes and opportunities in the last few years. After a virtual conference in 2021 and five mini-conferences across California in 2022, CAM is looking forward to gathering together once more with our colleagues on common ground again.

View the 2023 Conference Pricing Sheet

The Preliminary Program is now available. The program is subject to change.

Registration and Refund Policies
CAM offers a generous transfer policy for individuals who find they can no longer attend the conference as planned. If you'd like to transfer your registration in full to another individual, please reach out to CAM's Administrative Manager Michelle Rader at [email protected]. CAM is not able to divide a single registration among multiple people.

For cancellations greater than 60 days before the conference date, a full refund less a $25 processing fee is offered.
For cancellations between 30-59 days prior to the event, half of the registration will be refunded.
For cancellations less than 30 days before the event, no refund will be provided.

We understand that emergencies occur and situations may arise. In situations of medical and family emergencies, CAM will do our best to provide a refund less a $25 processing fee. Documentation may be requested and we kindly ask that this policy not be abused.

Questions
If you have questions about the conference, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page, or contact CAM's Administrative Manager Michelle Rader at [email protected].

When

3/8/2023 - 3/11/2023

Where

Waterfront Hotel 10 Washington St Oakland, CA 94607

Select programs by

Dialogue Lunch

Description
Anyone Can Be A Museum Advocate Museum advocacy is important to all of us, no matter the discipline or size of our institution. And advocacy is more accessible than ever! Discuss why it matters and how to get involved at the local, state, or federal level. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Multidisciplinary Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Building Capacity for Evaluation in Museums of All Sizes Internal, external, formative, summative--oh my! Evaluation is an essential part of museum program planning and implementation, and it can be done at museums of all disciplines and sizes. Join discussants from the evaluation and program fields for an open discussion on building capacity for evaluation at your institution. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Public Programs Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Changing Times for Museum Volunteers Expectations are changing as we collectively resurface from the pandemic and museum volunteers and staff enter into new territory. How do we ensure a welcoming and protective environment, beginning with training? How do position descriptions reflect these realistically? Category Dialogue Lunch Track Multidisciplinary Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Cleaning House: A New Era of Historic House Museums What does it mean to be a historic house museum today? Based on lessons learned in recent years, how are we “cleaning up” our practice? How are we reimagining interpretation, programs, and collections and centering diversity, equity, and inclusion? Join historic house museum professionals to discuss these issues and more. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Museum Operations Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Collaborating with Community Partners on a Cultural Event California’s communities are an intricate mosaic of the diverse people who built them. Museums have a responsibility to preserve and tell these stories honestly. Collaborating with community cultural organizations is essential for true representation of our history. Empathy, time, and sensitivity yield rich partnerships that deepen understanding and strengthen community. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Public Programs Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Federal Funds for Small Institutions The process of applying for federal funds is daunting enough but what does it the process look like once you have successfully gotten the grant? This conversation will center around the actual steps taken at a small museum that received an NHPRC grant from the National Archives. Category Dialogue Lunch Track External Relations Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Reestablishing Your Professional Self After the Pandemic Many of us were knocked off our feet—and literally out of our professional seat—during the pandemic. We dusted off resumes, knocked on numerous network doors, and scoured job websites. Whether you are reestablishing yourself, or still searching, join us to share resources, tools and advice on how to begin again. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Multidisciplinary Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM
Small and Mid-Size Museums Surviving and Thriving? Join us for a facilitated conversation about the challenges and opportunities for small-and mid-sized museums now. Without significant reserves or endowments, many of our institutions felt COVID more acutely than our larger neighbors. At the same time, we were able to move more quickly to respond with relevant programming. Category Dialogue Lunch Track Museum Operations Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM

Event

Description
CAMaraderie Lunch Does the meme “nobody ever made a best friend during a webinar” resonate with you? Though we still rely on many digital collaboration platforms, connecting with peers in-person is an essential part of professional development and networking. There is something magical about breaking bread with a colleague and forming a personal connection. Reboot your relationships with fellow museum workers over a buffet lunch. Catch up with an old friend, or make a new one! Category Event Time 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM 3/8/2023 11:30 AM
Host Committee Welcome Reception Relax and mingle with colleagues before the conference switches into high gear on Thursday morning with panels, discussions and case studies. This free reception will take place onsite at the conference hotel in a flexible indoor-outdoor space. Afterwards, depart for dinner on your own at one of Oakland’s amazing restaurants. Category Event Time 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM 3/8/2023 5:00 PM
On Common Ground: Ripple Effect One small action has the potential to have an enormous impact. Join fellow museum colleagues for a cocktail and light bites to discuss the programs and sessions from the day. What inspired you and what inspired others, what ripple will these activities have on your museum and on your career? Explore the ripple with others and form new collaborations. Category Event Time 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM 3/9/2023 6:30 PM
Director's Lunch CAM's highly-anticipated event for museum directors and senior level managers is back in 2023! Join your colleagues for a great networking opportunity and a special program during the Director's Lunch. Program to be announced. Category Event Time 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM 3/10/2023 12:00 PM

Workshop

Description
Disasters are Looming, Museums are Booming The frequency and type of disasters affecting California and its collections has changed over the years. This one-day workshop will focus on the fundamentals of disaster preparedness, including creating an emergency plan, assembling a disaster kit, collections recovery skills, prioritization of disaster response steps and hands-on care of wet materials. Category Workshop Track Collections Time 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM 3/8/2023 8:00 AM
Inclusion for People with Disabilities Looking to improve accessibility for people with disabilities? Learn how a museum and zoo created a truly inclusive and accessible facility. Participate in activities to practice the process and draft your own roadmap. Topics: disability rights, strategies and plans, engaging users and advisors, gaining institutional commitment, staff training, prototyping, fundraising. Category Workshop Track Multidisciplinary Time 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM 3/8/2023 8:00 AM
Keys to Successful and Collaborative Grant Writing Writing grant proposals for Foundations and Government Agencies requires collaboration between development, curatorial, collections, education, and community partners. This session will combine individual grant writing instruction with exercises to guide you towards more collaborative work, improve your focus and writing, as well as listen actively to your colleagues. Category Workshop Track External Relations Time 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM 3/8/2023 1:00 PM
Museums & Tax Credits Whether through capital projects or operations, tax credits expand traditional fundraising tools and increase the capacity of museums to support their missions. This workshop brings two tax credit experts to talk about historic tax credits, New Markets, Employee Retention, and Paid Leave tax credits, moderated by a museum executive director. Category Workshop Track Museum Operations Time 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM 3/8/2023 2:00 PM

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Thank you to our CAM Across California ENGAGE and LEAD sponsors!
As of 1/24/22