WMA Roadshow

Creative Aging and Museums

October 20, 2021, 11:00AM–4:30PM
Oakland Museum of California
$60 per person, includes workshop, museum entrance, and reception

 Register Here

CAM is partnering with the Western Museums Association (WMA) to run a small, safe, in-person pop-up museum professional development event at the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA). Following local health and safety guidelines, this half-day experience will include learning and networking opportunities.

By 2035, there will be 78 million people 65 years and older in the United States (compared to 76.4 million under the age of 18). While the aging of America presents museums with challenges, they have an opportunity to play a role in building social connections, nurturing creative expression, and enhancing wellbeing.

The American Alliance of Museums published a landmark report, titled Museums and Creative Aging: A Healthful Partnership, to explore what it means to grow old in America. The report is a call to action, stating that museums have an opportunity to position themselves as places for older people to seek out meaningful social connections, rediscover a sense of purpose, and engage in joyful experiences.

Join CAM and WMA on October 20 to learn directly from the report’s author, Marjorie Schwarzer, and others who are creating meaningful experiences and supporting the creative aging movement. The workshop will cover the why, what, and how of creative aging programs in museums.

Workshop Presenters:
Joyce Gardella, Principal, Gardella & Associates
Karen Kienzle, Director, Palo Alto Art Center
Jessica McCracken, Director, Creative Spark, Front Porch
Marjorie Schwarzer, Author, Museums and Creative Aging: A Healthful Partnership
Katie Wade, Senior Director of Creative Engagement, Front Porch

Preliminary schedule (subject to change):

11:00AM–12:00PM – Tour of the exhibition Mothership: Voyage Into Afrofuturism 
12:00PM–1:00PM – No host lunch (see nearby options below) 
1:00PM–3:00PM – Marjorie Schwarzer discusses her new American Alliance of Museums report Museums and Creative Aging: A Healthful Partnership 
3:00PM–4:30PM – Reception in Koret Plaza 

Registration cost: $60

Limited capacity: For safety and comfort, attendance will be capped for each event. When capacity has been reached, we will begin a waiting list. Should any spots open up the next person in line will be notified. To ensure your seat, register today! The registration deadline is end of day Monday, October 18th.

Register here

Safety requirements: All Roadshow attendees must have proof of vaccination or negative test results within 72 hours of the event. Upon arrival, please be prepared to provide to registration staff one of the following acceptable forms of proof along with a photo ID:

  • A copy of, photo of, or your original CDC vaccination card, which includes your name, the type of vaccine provided, and date the last dose was administered; or documentation of vaccination from a healthcare provider
  • A copy of, photo of, or your original negative test results within the last 72 hours

For information on vaccination and testing, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/


Options for lunch near OMCA:

Town Fare by Tanya Holland at OMCA
Eden Plaza Cafe across the street
Kefe Coffee 3 blocks away