Important Dates and Information

• April: Conference presentations confirmed, full conference schedule posted
• Wednesday, May 27: Registration deadline
• Monday, June 1: Date of Conference

Conference Theme

“The Next 250: Museums and the Future of Democracy” will explore the important roles museums of all disciplines play in our democracy, showcase the work of Connecticut museums around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and contemplate the future of our field at this critical moment in our country. The conference will convene people from all disciplines to discuss the challenges facing museums at this moment, demonstrate the value of work that integrates the arts, humanities, and sciences through meaningful museum experiences, and make space for dialogue and creative action for our field.

With support from the the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, we will be adding new initiatives to this year's conference designed to enhance dialogue between the arts and other museum disciplines and highlight 250th efforts at art museums and organizations. 

Create Art with Lizzy Rockwell

We are pleased to announce that artist, illustrator, children's book author, and community quilter Lizzy Rockwell will be our first ever conference artist-in-residence. Lizzy will be leading conferencegoers in a collaborative art project that relates to our conference theme of "The Next 250." All conference attendees will have the opportunity to create a work of art that will become part of a larger piece crafted over the course of the day. This is going to be really fun, and we can't wait to sit down next to you and make something!

Keynote Panel

Our conference keynote will bring together three prominent voices in the museum, arts and culture, and civics fields to engage with us in conversation about what comes after the SemiQ—and to provide opportunities for taking courage in community with one another. We're thrilled to have with us:

Elizabeth Larison: Director of the Arts and Culture Advocacy Program at the National Coalition Against Censorship, which advocates for free expression and offers resources, training, and tools to organizations across the country.

Merle McGee: President and CEO of Everyday Democracy, which works with communities and organizations to foster dialogue and engage communities, young people, and emerging leaders in forging participatory multiracial democracy.

Amy Werbel: Professor of the History of Art at SUNY–Fashion Institute of Technology, the Co-Chair of Public Art Dialogue, and a State University of New York Civic Education and Engagement and Civil Discourse Fellow. Her work focuses on art censorship historically and in the present day.

Sponsor the Conference

The Connecticut League of Museums' Annual Conference brings together more than 200 people from across the state and region for a full day of learning, fellowship, and inspiration. Sponsorship is a change to connect your business or organization with our community of hundreds of museums—small businesses in their own right—and to share more about your services and offerings. And sponsorship ensures that we are able to do things like:

• Make the conference affordable for all
• Provide accommodations that make the day more accessible to everyone
• Offer free and affordable programs and workshops year-round
• Connect the public with museum and archival collections across the state through Connecticut Collections

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Exhibit at the Conference

Join us as an exhibitor at our Annual Conference at Central Connecticut State University. This year's theme "The Next 250: Museums and the Future of Democracy" will attract over 200+ museum professionals from across Connecticut and the region. It's a great way to get the word out about your organization, business, or services to Connecticut's largest annual gathering of museum people.

Our Museum Marketplace will be located in the beautiful light-filled atrium of Willard-DiLoreto Hall. The Museum Marketplace opens at 8am along with Conference Registration and remains open until 3:30pm.

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The 2026 Conference is made possible with the support of the Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts, which also receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.