Museums are following the lead of the rest of the economy and considering the benefits of artificial intelligence to help staff be more productive, save money, and potentially improve what the museum offers the public. There are significant practical and ethical issues at stake for Independent Museum Professionals, who will inevitably see changes in what clients need and expect. How can we continue to provide valuable services while responsibly embracing this technological disruption? Are our practices at risk with AI-enabled services as museums implement AI?

Nik Honeysett, Director and CEO at the Balboa Park Online Collaborative, will start us off with an overview of tips and tools that IMPs can use to increase our capacity and productivity, as well as insights into how museums are implementing AI in their organizations. Following his presentation, Sarah Jencks and Beth Housewert, who are both using AI in their work, will join Nik to answer questions and reflect on the issues and questions it is raising for them. Laura B. Roberts, Roberts Consulting, will host and moderate the discussion.

We rarely assign readings before our webinars, but we encourage you to look at these recent publications and a short thought-provoking video.

Wilkening Consulting: Trust and Responsibility to Community, Part 6: Artificial Intelligence in Museums. https://wilkeningconsulting.com/trust-and-responsibility-to-community-part-6/

Devos Institute: An AI Roadmap for Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations. https://www.devosinstitute.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/DeVos-Institute_An-AI-Roadmap-for-Arts-and-Culture-Nonprofit-Organizations.pdf

Veritalk: Stephen Greenblatt on Artificial Intelligence and Human Creativity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SYymF7HJx8

Honeysett: Revolution and Random Acts of AI. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/revolution-random-acts-ai-nik-honeysett-6hrcc/

VIEW RESOURCES FROM THE WEBINAR HERE

Get behind-the-scenes access to the Ministry of Awe (yes, that is an awesome name) & Shane Confectionery with Isabella Bruno of Lab for Radical Museum Futures.

It's a big conference; this is your chance to find your fellow IMP peeps, debrief sessions, and catch up. Join Krista Kusuma and Stephanie Coakley in the Museum People meetup area of the Expo Hall. Look for the IMP table sign!

Leave the conference floor for a tour of Philly Typewriter—is it a museum? an archive? Join Isabella Bruno (Lab for Radical Museum Futures) for an unexpected experience.

Beth Housewert and Rani Robison are hosting a Museum Minds meetup in the lobby of the Sheraton. This is an opportunity for IMP and museum folks to come together and join in conversation.

Join Jennifer Souers Chevraux and Shiloh Holley at Nocterra Brewing for a casual get-together! This is a time for connection and conversation with fellow museum professionals.

IMPs Connect: Two Truths & A Lie - April Fools Edition

Wednesday, April 1, 3:00 PM EST

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Join us for our first-ever April Fools'–inspired edition of IMPs Connect!

In this relaxed, playful session, we’ll get to know one another through a classic icebreaker with a twist: Two Truths & A Lie—with built-in support. In small groups we’ll collaborate to craft one shared set of “two truths and a lie,” so no one has to wing it or feel put on the spot. Then, we’ll come back together to guess the lie, share a few laughs, and enjoy the reveals.

If you’ve been meaning to drop into IMPs Connect but weren’t sure where to begin, this is a great entry point. No prep, no pressure, no need to be “on.” Just bring your curiosity and a playful spirit—new faces and familiar ones are equally welcome.

What to expect

A friendly, informal gathering with time to meet and reconnect

Small-group time to create a shared set of Two Truths & A Lie

Whole-group guessing, lighthearted conversation, and genuine connection

Come for the laughter, leave with new connections.

Due to the informal nature of this gathering, this meeting will not be recorded.

Liability coverage, contracts, intellectual property, oh my! 

Join us for an essential professional learning session designed specifically for independent museum professionals navigating the complexities of running their own practice.

Our panelists are seasoned insurance and legal experts who understand the unique challenges you face as an IMP and are ready to answer your questions!

Bring your concerns about professional liability, client agreements, business structure considerations, or any other legal and insurance matters, and leave with the clarity and confidence you need to safeguard your work and your business.

We can't wait to see you at the event!

SLIDES

VIDEO

CO-SPONSORED MEETUP

Saturday, March 21 

3:00 PM: Pre-show talk by IMP Dan Tell and Screening of Forbidden Planet 

5:00 PM: Drake's Dealership, for no-host drinks/snacks & movie debrief

Location: The New Parkway Theater, Oakland, CA

If attending the pre-show talk and film, you can purchase tickets at the New Parkway Theater's website. 

Please RSVP for the after-show meetup at 5 PM here. 

At this event, IMP Dan Tell of Tau Immersive will host a pre-show talk about the science and cultural connections of the science fiction film, Forbidden Planet, using the free, open-source planetarium software OpenSpace. After the film screening, join Dan and fellow IMPs to connect, discuss, and share over snacks and drinks at an establishment nearby. 

Join Gary Sandling, History in Practice, LLC, at Amber Ox Public House (525 Prince George St) for a low-key meetup before the evening reception. Look for Gary on the "bar side" as you walk in.

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Join Ami Davis at Mendocino Farms (300 S Grand Ave) for an IMP meetup. Take a break from sessions to enjoy delicious food and conversation with colleagues.

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Join Jackie Eyl, your host with the most, at Pendulum 401 (conference hotel bar) and build on great conversations and ideas with your IMP colleagues.

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As independent museum professionals, we’re great at pivoting, adapting, and reinventing for our clients, but turning that same lens on ourselves can feel surprisingly challenging. When you feel stuck or unsure how to evolve your business, a little clarity and guidance goes a long way. Join Career Coaches Elin Filbey, of Deaccessioned Career Coaching, and Alli Schell, of Your Museum Career Coach, for this workshop that will help you uncover the expertise you already have, recognize new opportunities in the field, and expand your portfolio in ways that feel meaningful, sustainable, and financially rewarding.

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SLIDES

Play experts Ed Rodley and Cas Holman will be designing and hosting a uniquely playful experience focused on connection, creativity, and engagement.

Ed recently released his new book, Designing for Playful Engagement in Museums, and brings deep experience in immersive museum design, plus a long-standing relationship with IMP. You may also recognize him from our recent program, The ABC’s of RFPs.

Cas Holman, designer of objects and spaces for play, also just released her new book,  Playful: How Play Shifts our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity. Her work radiates curiosity and joy, bringing a fresh and transformative lens to learning and collaboration.

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2025 has been a tough year for IMPs and the cultural sector. AAM’s latest National Snapshot shows museums facing funding cuts, canceled programs, deferred maintenance, and drops in both attendance and financial stability.

How do independent museum professionals adapt while supporting clients and strengthening the field?

Join us on Tues, Dec. 9th to continue the conversation we started on Dec. 3rd. This will be an "office hours" style open discussion.

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How to sustain your work and support the field in a dynamic ecosystem

Follow up Office Hours Dec 9 at 12 noon eastern time

Panelists

Marsha Semmel, Marsha Semmel Consulting (https://www.marshasemmelconsulting.com) 

Michelle Moon, Saltworks Interpretive Consulting (https://www.saltworkshq.com) 

Shiloh Holley, Accession Grant Writing for Museums (https://accessiongrantwriting.com) 

Laura B. Roberts, Roberts Consulting, facilitator (https://www.lauraroberts.com) 

Cashmere Morley, Pendulee Design Agency, Zoom manager (https://pendulee.com) 

2025 has been disruptive, alarming and often dispiriting for IMPs and our clients in the cultural sector. AAM’s recent National Snapshot of United States Museums underscores the challenge: the current administration’s executive orders and diminution of funding agencies “have forced difficult choices, including deferring facility or physical infrastructure improvements; canceling programming for students, rural communities, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and/or veterans; and reducing public programs overall.” The report notes that “both finances and attendance show new downturns: more than half of museums are currently seeing fewer visitors than in 2019, and nearly a third report declines tied to weakened travel and tourism and/or economic uncertainty. Only half report stronger bottom lines in 2024 than pre-pandemic, while a quarter report weaker bottom lines than in 2019.” How can we as independent museum professionals respond to not only sustain our practices but also help our clients and bolster the sector? Panelists will offer insights but obviously no easy answers. Marsha will begin with the perspective of a (former) Washington insider. Michelle will share some general strategies for building organizational and personal resilience. Shiloh will talk about how she has repositioned (and continues to reposition) her portfolio of professional services. We will reconvene a week after the webinar to explore these questions further in an “office hours” open discussion format. Come for one or both sessions! 

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The joy of being an IMP is that YOU get to define—and redefine—what success looks like for you. How you structure your business can and should evolve as you grow and learn.

Join IMPs Beth Housewert, Laura Shepard, and Betsy Loring as they share their experiences, how they figured out next steps, plus a Business Check-up resource to help you periodically evaluate what’s working and what should change. Then, in focused breakout room discussions, dive deeper on a particular part of the business journey.

This session is for IMPs at any point in their business journey!

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VIEW/DOWNLOAD YOUR BUSINESS JOURNEY CHECKLIST
VIEW/DOWNLOAD BUSINESS RESOURCES FROM IMP

Money talk doesn’t have to be awkward. In this lively, practical session with tips from pricing and marketing expert Ilise Benun of Marketing Mentor,  we’ll trade horror stories, share strategies, and maybe even learn to enjoy the money conversation. You’ll get tips, peer wisdom, and thoughtful connections. Facilitated by Johanna Goldfeld, exhibitista creative. 

Set aside an extra 15 minutes for a bonus breakout!

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Co-sponsored with NEMA IMP

Responding to Requests for Proposals to secure work can be challenging, especially as an IMP.  How can you better discern what the potential client wants and needs? How do you present the most relevant version of yourself for each project? Or what if a client wants you to create an RFP for them—how do you write one to receive the most useful responses? 

Our distinguished panelists — Barbara Punt, Nette Pletcher, and Edward Rodley — bring a depth of experience from diverse vantage points within the IMP world. Come learn about and discuss best practices for RFPs at our September webinar, hosted by Sari Boren and Jennie Goldstone.

DOWNLOAD THE SLIDE DECK (PDF)

Join Chiara Brancato of The Museum Creative and your fellow independent museum consultants (IMPs) for an informal virtual chat where we’ll explore the wonders, worries, and what-ifs of artificial intelligence in our field. Whether you’re cautiously curious or already chatting with chatbots, this is a space to connect, share, and make sense of how AI might shape the work we do with museums.

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Last year, IMP fielded a nationwide survey of Independent Museum Professionals asking what they charge, covering 13 categories of professional services. We also asked a number of demographic questions, both to get a sense of the composition of our group and to see if there were any meaningful drivers of variations in fees. Finally, we asked about billing practices.

Well, the results are in and we’re ready to report on what we’ve learned. In addition to sharing the findings, this webinar will give you time to talk about these issues with colleagues.

The presenters are the project organizers: 
Claudia B. Ocello, Museum Partners Consulting, LLC
Laura B. Roberts, Roberts Consulting

VIEW/DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

WATCH THE VIDEO

As backlash to LGBTQ progress ramps up, museums have an opportunity to create queer-positive experiences that actively welcome queer visitors and support queer staff.

Margaret Middleton will discuss their work helping museums implement queer-inclusive practices. Then together we will go over considerations for queer visitor experience and advocacy strategies with a special focus on Freelance Superpowers.

Please bring your ideas and questions. This talk will be best suited to educators, exhibit designers, evaluators, and development professionals.

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In the demanding world of museum consulting, we often push ourselves to the brink. Long hours, complex projects, changing contexts, and constant pressure can erode our passion and well-being. But what if there's another way?

Join fellow IMPsJose Antonio Gordillo Martorell, Krista Kusuma, and Claudia Ocello for a transformative virtual fireside conversation, and leave with new tools for supporting your professional wellness.

How do we evaluate success and cultivate lasting client relationships?

We’ll outline ways to track project progress and impact with easy and useful templates to include mid-point assessments and more.

Facilitated by Beth Housewert (Inspired Impact) and Erin Richardson (Frank and Glory). Hosted by Cashmere Morley (Pendulee Design Agency).

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What are the essential elements of a clear understanding between an IMP and the client, and what are tools to establish this?

We’ll review case studies of communication successes and challenges as well as how these could be avoided through initial discussions, detailed proposals, letters of agreement and thorough contracts. We’ll workshop elements that IMPs could include in their future agreement and provide resources that can support collaborative partnerships.

Facilitated by Beth Housewert (Inspired Impact), Erin Richardson (Frank and Glory), Jennifer Whitburn (Jennifer Whitburn Exhibits). Hosted by Cashmere Morley (Pendulee Design Agency).

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Join your fellow Independent Museum Professionals (IMPs) for an inspiring virtual experience that's part celebration, part networking — and 100% designed to leave you inspired. This isn't just another meeting; it's a powerful opportunity to reflect on your achievements, connect with colleagues, and create intentionality for your most successful year yet. Bring bubbles if you like, as well as some blank paper and colorful mark-making tools for getting creative.

With all your hard work and experience, do you have something to share with your colleagues? Writing for professional magazines, journals and books not only strengthens our field’s resources but it also builds your skills as a professional. And raises your profile – something every Independent Museum Professional needs! Join two editors (one of whom is also a published author) and a second author for a wide-ranging discussion of how to get started and how to keep going through a writing project.

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RESOURCES

As independent museum professionals, we love exhibitions, design, and interpretation. Many of us likely didn’t set out to be small business owners. We’re learning as we go, and that comes with mistakes, sometimes really big mistakes! Join us as fellow IMPs share some of the mistakes they’ve made along the way and the lessons they’ve learned. We’ll laugh, wince, and reflect on how sharing our mistakes can help us learn, grow, and evolve our business practices.

We drew inspiration for this program from the popular AAM annual meeting session Mistakes Were Made, developed by Sean Kelley, of Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site and now of Alcatraz.

RESOURCES

In this panel presentation, three IMPs will share their experiences and strategies on how they manage to build their networks of support with other colleagues, overcome solitude, and receive feedback to improve their practice.

Come and listen to tips and ideas from Sari Boren, Paul Orselli, and Amparo Leyman Pino. Amparo will present the four C’s and how she came up with the idea of creating an Advisory Board. Paul will highlight specific strategies for sharing and showing your work online to foster creative partnerships. Sari will talk about the different ways she supports her work through networks.

After the panelists’ presentations, participants will be able to ask questions and dive deeper into these strategies.

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As IMPs, we are sometimes asked to step into, or even lead, museums’ community engagement process. What can we do to ensure that community engagement is equitable, just, and fruitful? Jason R.L. Wallace of Blue Goose Solutions will help us think through these questions, avoid pitfalls, and learn to better navigate these complex and important relationships.

Jason leads Blue Goose Solutions, a firm specializing in community engagement for museums, blending expertise in public and digital engagement to foster sustainable, equitable relationships between museums and their communities. In addition to working with museums, his work includes high-profile positions with three White House administrations, traveling with Presidents Bush, Obama, Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Harris. He also served as a cabinet member for DC Mayor Bowser leading community engagement initiatives.

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RESOURCES