Conferences and Continuing Education

Sharpen your skills by attending training.

The following list is gathered by the Local History Services team. Please send updates as needed.

Sections
Workshops/Courses
On-Demand Workshops
Continuing Education Resources
Conferences/Meetings

Workshops/Courses

STEPS Program Orientation 
August 29 @ 2 to 3:15 pm - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Is your organization enrolled in the Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS)? Are you new to the program, or maybe your organization enrolled some time ago and is ready to jump back in with the updated workbook? All organizations enrolled in STEPS are invited to take part in this free orientation and refresher webinar to learn about the workbook and how to use it, how to access the online STEPS Community and resources, info on obtaining your certificates, and more. This program is for STEPS Enrollees only. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Moving Museum Collections
September 2 - Online: Museum Study - This 4-week course provides an overview of how to plan and manage a move to avoid the many pitfalls. The course will help you define the scope of your project, develop a work plan and schedule, prepare a communication scheme, define proposals for vendors, choose equipment, estimate costs, identify hazards, organize staffing and establish packing techniques and standards. Cost: $400. Learn more »

Introduction to Generative AI tools for research and writing
September 6 @ 12:15 to 1 pm - Online: U of MN Libraries - Have you heard all the buzz about the new generative AI tools like Chat GPT but are not sure how to use them (or if you should) in your research and writing? Or maybe you have experimented but are unsure. Learn about how these tools work, the pros and cons, and tips for incorporating them into your research and writing practice. The session is student-focused but open to the public. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Voicing Our Own Value: The New Museum Labor Movement
September 6 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm (CT): Museum Association of New York - In recent years, museums across the country have seen a new wave of unionization efforts. As museum staff have begun to recognize the importance of organizing, these efforts often involve contradictions between new expectations and the “way things have always been done” at our institutions. Can unions provide new energy for cultural organizations rather than pose a threat? Can living wages and protections against toxic workplaces coexist within a vibrant and sustainable museum economic model? Cost: Free. Learn more »

Transformative Approaches in Historic Preservation
September 9 @ 7 to 9 pm - St. Paul: Rethos - Join Amy Thomas, Rethos' Director of Real Estate, for a networking and happy hour event to explore how adaptive reuse of historic buildings and innovative financing options are driving successful small-scale rehab projects. Cost: $15. Learn more »

How to Get Your Board to Fundraise
September 10 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Lyrasis - Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, CFRE, for a workshop focused on equipping and motivating your board members to be great fundraisers. You’ll learn how to help them get over their fear of fundraising and develop the fundraising habit. Accountability and follow-through will also be discussed. The session includes tools and samples that you can use to start building a fundraising culture within your board. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Engaging Hispanic/Latinx Communities - Forming Community Partnerships & the Co-creation Process (Part 1)   
September 10 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: National Informal STEM Education Network - Hear from those leading the NISE Engaging Hispanic Communities Initiative who will share about forming partnerships with local Hispanic/Latinx community organizations. Learn more about the co-creation process and how to build relationships with members of your community. Learn more »

Future Chat: Navigating the Culture Wars
September 12 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Alliance of Museums - Join the Center for the Future of Museums’ director, Elizabeth Merritt, for a new series, Future Chats. The series kicks off with Elizabeth hosting Julie Decker, Director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum, to discuss recent challenges museums face in the current culture wars. The session will cover pressures like protests, lawsuits, and threats to funding, and explore strategies for museums to navigate or counteract these issues. Following their discussion, participants will engage in virtual discussion groups to exchange experiences dealing with partisan pressures and to offer each other information and support. Learn more »

Open Source Software
September 16 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog Archivists & Historians - Discover why open-source software is ideal for archives in our upcoming webinar. They'll highlight its merits over proprietary options, emphasizing its role in enhancing archival management. Open-source software ensures the preservation and accessibility of collections through its flexibility, transparency, and community-led upgrades. It stands out for being constantly developed by a global community, making it a reliable and evolving choice for archivists committed to keeping their platforms updated and effective. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance
September 17 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - While this training is open to all, it is designed for those new to serving on a board or those who are contemplating joining a board. Cost: $85. Learn more »

Online Course: Developing a Collections Management Policy
Beginning September 17 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Collecting to Collections Care - A Collections Management Policy is a vital document for any collecting institution, outlining legal and ethical requirements for collecting practices and collections care. This course helps participants develop or update their policy, covering changing legal and ethical standards and the protection provided by a well-written policy. Participants will gain confidence in editing or creating a policy focused on laws and ethics impacting collection care and management. Cost: $99/After Sept 2: $149. Learn more »

Where Does Governance Stop and Management Begin?
September 19 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - A nonprofit’s board and the staff need to be collaborative partners to achieve the mission of the organization. However, there are times when roles and responsibilities become blurred. They will clarify where governance stops and management begins. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Architecture & Identity: Black Modernism
September 19 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Black Modernism encompasses the underappreciated influence of the Black American experience in modern architecture and design. Join Dr. Michelle Wilkinson and experts for a discussion on stewarding and interpreting Black Modernism and the cultural significance of Black American architects. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Strategies for Born Digital Collections
September 19 @ 12 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Northeast Document Conservation Center - This webinar is designed for those interested in improving their organization's collection and preservation practices for digital content. It covers managing emails, websites, and files on computers and removable media, highlighting different approaches for their acquisition and maintenance. The instructor will discuss software, hardware, and best practices for managing born-digital content, helping attendees understand technical requirements and prioritize preservation efforts. Participants will also learn from examples of workflows, aiding in the development of practical solutions for their institutions. Cost: $45. Learn more »

Fundamentals of AV Preservation
September 26 through November 7 - Online course: Northeast Document Conservation Center - This course is designed to teach participants how to effectively manage and preserve audiovisual collections over six sessions. The course topics include risks to these materials, proper care and handling, inventory and assessment, reformatting project planning and execution, digital collection management, and disaster preparedness. Participants will also learn how to inventory audiovisual holdings, prioritize materials for reformatting, and draft a Statement of Work. The course includes six live webinars and an online textbook for self-study. Cost: $375. Learn more »

Consideration and Care of Islamicate Collections
September 27 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Collecting to Collections Care - Islamicate or Islamic Collections encompass a wide range of materials, including sacred and secular items from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Caring for these collections involves understanding their complexities, identifying sacred objects, and adopting respectful approaches to preservation. The webinar aims to help small to medium-sized collecting institutions understand sacred objects and care for Islamicate collections.  Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preservation Plans: An Overview
September 27 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Museum Association of New York - A preservation plan is an essential document that helps collecting institutions thoughtfully and carefully chart a course for the preservation of their collections. In this webinar, participants will learn about the components that go into an effective preservation plan, tips for preparing for planning, and how to use a preservation plan to advocate for support for your collections. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preservation Plans: An Overview
September 27 @ 11 am - 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Museum Association of New York - A preservation plan is an essential document that helps collecting institutions thoughtfully and carefully chart a course for the preservation of their collections. In this webinar, participants will learn about the components that go into an effective preservation plan, tips for preparing for planning, and how to use a preservation plan to advocate for support for your collections. Learn more »

Online Demand Courses

American Association for State and Local History - Arcus Leadership Program Courses
Specifically designed for emerging and mid-level professionals and volunteers, these self-paced courses help participants understand the most critical topics in the history field and incorporate that understanding into their work. Start these courses any time.

Museum Collections Documentation and Data Cleaning
Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) - Provides essential museum documentation information for museum staff with all levels of knowledge. It begins with an introductory overview and ends with specific documentation issues. Learners can take the modules in order or choose a module or two that fits their needs. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preservation Housekeeping for Heritage Sites and Small Museums
Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) and the Canadian Heritage Information Network (CHIN) - Covers guidelines, best practices and resources for the regular upkeep of historic interiors and exteriors as well as the contents of historic buildings. This one- to two-hour self-paced course has been designed for those who work or volunteer in small museums or heritage sites and who have little to no training in conservation. Learn more »

Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference Breakout Session Recordings
View conference recordings from the February 26-27 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference Rochester.

Digital Stewardship Training Courses for Tribal Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Small Public Libraries
OCLC's WebJunction, in partnership with Washington State University's Center for Digital Scholarship and Curation, is creating a series of 10 free online courses for staff at tribal archives, libraries, museums (TALMs), and small public libraries on digital stewardship and community-centered curation of cultural collections. Learn more »

Finding New Sources of Funding in Challenging Times:
National Preservation Institute - This 45-minute on-demand course will help you think beyond traditional sources of financial support to fund cultural resource projects. Learn how to evaluate a cultural resource project for its value in serving broader community needs. Review traditional funding types versus alternative sources that can be redirected to meet project goals. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Document Conservation - Northeast Document Conservation Center has many webinar training programs on paper, books, and similar items and topics. Learn more »

Nonprofit Education - Propel Nonprofits and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits feature local training.

Online continuing education

Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit
The American Association for State and Local History's free "Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit" is made up of AASLH conference sessions, webinars, History News, technical leaflets, and books that address topics such as working with descendant communities, celebrating Juneteenth, interpreting slavery for a variety of audiences, and the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on museum practice. Check it out »

Free Collections Care webinars
Connecting to Collections Online Community offers a series of free, online courses about the preservation of archival and historical collections. Check their website for dates and upcoming programming.

Planning for Changes in the Archives: 12 steps for undertaking collection relocation
Recorded Webinar: Midwest Archives Conference - The presenter walks through the 12 steps so you’ll have a framework to follow for your project. This framework helps focus your plans and ensures you consider possible options. These steps have been honed through experience moving archives and special collections materials. Watch video »

Webinar Recording: Oral History at a Distance: Conducting Remote Interviews
Oral History Association - This timely webinar addresses the dynamics of conducting remote oral history interviews. It begins with an analysis of the pros and cons of conducting distance oral history interviews, then addresses aspects of interviewing in a distance environment, breaking down the interviewer and narrator experience in these exchanges, and offer direction on best approaches for interviewing at a distance. This session will cover best practices for recording archival-quality oral history interviews, then discuss in depth the tools and techniques available to enable the user to follow best practices in a remote setting. Listen »

Webinar Recording: Insurance 101: Practical Considerations for Protecting Institutional Collections and Loans
Connecting to Collections - This webinar recording is appropriate for all levels of experience from beginner to expert as an introduction and review of collections insurance basics and how they are an integral part of collections care. We will examine loss prevention, loss control and how to protect the collection through good housekeeping, landscaping, managing patrons, and during transport of objects. In addition, examples of recent claims and outcomes to illustrate how insurance responds to loss and damage will be presented. Watch the recording »

A Guide to Approaching Audiovisual Digitization
This paper was written through support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The information discussed in the paper is meant to help collection holders prepare their materials and their technology systems for a digitization initiative, as well as give a brief overview of digitization workflows. There is also a discussion of some of the updates made to the BAVC workflow over the last two years. This section may be of interest to those interested in the technical and procedural aspects of digitization workflows. Download paper »

Community Reflection on Black Lives and Archives
Recorded Webinar: Society of American Archivists - Society of American Archivists’ statement on Black Lives and Archives. The vitality of American archives depends on the safety of archives workers and an explicit commitment to social responsibility, justice, and anti-racism in the work that we do and the organizations we work within. As part of this the SAA Council convened a forum of reflection to move toward healing and understanding, of which a recording of this event is now available. Listen »

'Talking About Race' Is a New Online Resource by the National Museum of African American History
Last week, The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) released a new, online portal discussing race, racism, and racial identity. The new web portal, “Talking About Race,” was launched as a way to help everyone, including families and communities, talk about racism and racial identity and the way these forces shape every aspect of society, from the economy and politics to the broader American culture. Learn more »

Online information for exempt organizations
IRS Exempt Organizations has developed an educational website with an online version of their popular workshop for Small and Mid-Sized 501(c)(3) organizations, plus mini-courses on other topics of interest, including information on the redesigned Form 990.

Reflecting on Museum Labor
A course in the Museum Studies program at University of Illinois at Chicago, centered on public engagement, produced a magazine/newspaper-style publication containing useful information about labor rights, history, and museums/places associated with celebrating labor movements and history. It also has interviews with folks in the field and activities like a custom labor-themed cocktail list. Download PDF »

Cultural Institutions at Times of Social Unrest
Recording of Carla Hayden and Lonnie Bunch discussing the future of their institutions and how they remain accessible and relevant during a period of global pandemic coupled with nationwide protests against injustice. Watch webcast »

History Responds to Crisis Workshops Recordings Now Available
Recordings are now available of online workshops with sessions focused on planning and responding to the unexpected. From planning for massive disruptions in operations to preparing your museum and collection for an extended period of closure to staying in touch with your members. View Recordings »

Free ADA training
Ten free training lessons regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act are available online from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Preservation 101
Northeast Document Conservation Center offers a set of free online courses in the basics of caring for objects.

Conferences

American Association for State and Local History Annual Conference
September 11 - 14, 2024
Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL

Digital Collections Summit - MuseumNext
October 22 & 23, 2024
Online

International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums
November 12 - 14, 2024
Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, Palm Springs, CA

2025 Midwestern Archives Conference in Minneapolis
The Midwestern Archives Conference will hold its 2025 annual meeting, Serving It Up, in Minneapolis, Minnesota from April 10-12, 2025. Session proposals are due August 20, 2024.