Follow up Office Hours Dec 9 at 12 noon eastern time
https://tinyurl.com/Now-What-IMP-office-hours
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!