The Post-COVID Museum: We survived? Now what?

March 30, 2021

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, our museums are facing a new reality and new uncertainties. Join us to hear from six leaders who navigated the pandemic, are responding to calls for social justice, and envision a different future. The new normal is not normal, but it could mean a better future for all of us.

MuseumExpert.org is proud to announce a new initiative to support museum staffers out of work because of COVID-19. This new series will explore emerging trends relating to rebuilding and reopening strategies. These conversations will help currently unemployed museum workers to be better prepared to enter or re-enter the museum field. The first webinar in the series will feature six executives from the museum field discussing their experiences confronting the pandemic, navigating the survival of their institution, and the challenges they now face in recreating place-based experiences for a new world. They will address questions that are arising from both inside and outside the institution regarding program priorities, staff management, necessary skills development, expected visitors’ trends, and place and role in the community.

Taking place on Thursday, April 8 from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. EDT, the discussion will be moderated by Barry VanDeman, former CEO of the Museum of Life and Science and MuseumExpert.org team member.

Featured  Panelists:

Kirsten Ellenbogen

President, & CEO

Great Lakes Science Center

Cindy Foley

Executive Assistant Director & Director of Learning & Experience

Columbus Museum of Art

Christian Greer

President & CEO

Michigan Science Center

Catherine Wilson Horne 

President & CEO

Discovery Place

Bert Vescolani

President and CEO

Denver Zoological Foundation

Joseph Wisne

President & CEO

Roto

To register, go to