A community for museum professionals.
Career Development or Resistance?
Wed, Jan 28
|Virtual Event
Join us for a global conversation on how museums are navigating political pressure, protecting mission integrity, and supporting the next generation of professionals. Leaders from across the field will share insights on resistance, career realities, and priorities for 2026.
Time & Location
Jan 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Virtual Event
About the event
At the end of 2025, the government renewed its demand that the Smithsonian Institution submit exhibition content for review—an unmistakable attempt to reshape historical narratives, particularly around slavery, to align with the president’s views. This pressure, along with actions such as the renaming of the Kennedy Center, signals that efforts to influence and control cultural expression are ongoing.
Yet these interventions have also sparked meaningful resistance. Artists have withdrawn from performances despite financial and legal risks, and audiences are responding with declining attendance. These reactions offer important lessons for museums as they navigate their own responsibilities to mission, community, and truth.
Throughout 2025, our field has focused on protecting institutional integrity while also recognizing the profound impact recent policies have had on museum careers and professional development. As we enter 2026, we will convene a global conversation to reflect on these experiences and identify priorities for the year ahead.
This…