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.

ONLINE REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. If you are planning to register in person, please complete this Intent to Register form, and print and prepare this Onsite Registration document to present at the Registration Desk. The conference is near capacity, and onsite registration is not guaranteed.

View the 2023 Conference Pricing Sheet

The Conference Program is available. The program is subject to change.

Safe Programming
The California Association of Museums is excited to offer in-person programming on this scale again for the first time since 2020, and know how eager many of you are to gather together. We will not be requiring proof of vaccination, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces have been thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event, and we encourage you to explore the outdoor areas, East Bay harbor breezes, and water views for your lunches and breaks when possible.

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]. The fastest way to get answers to your questions is now by visiting the Registration Desk onsite at the Waterfront Hotel, Compass Room*:

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – 7:00AM–6:00PM
Thursday, March 9, 2023 – 7:00AM–6:00PM
Friday, March 10, 2023 – 7:00AM–12:00PM
*Subject to change

When

3/8/2023 - 3/11/2023

Where

Waterfront Hotel 10 Washington St Oakland, CA 94607

Online registration is now closed. Please register on site in Oakland starting March 8th.

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
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

Tour

Description
Frederika Newton Tour Category Tour Time 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM 3/11/2023 11:00 AM
USS Hornet Tour Category Tour Time 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 3/11/2023 11:00 AM
BAMPFA Tour Category Tour Time 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 3/11/2023 12:00 PM
Chabot Tour Category Tour Time 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM 3/11/2023 2:00 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

Sign in to Register

Forgot?

Forgot username? | Forgot password?

Create a new account

Thank you to our CAM On Common Ground ENGAGE and LEAD sponsors!
As of 2/27/2023