Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
MPMA 61st Annual Conference: Call for Proposals
Proposals Due: January 31, 2014
Dear Colleagues,
We would like to invite you to the 2014 Mountain-Plains Museums Association annual conference in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado.
Our Host City:
Located in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, Aspen and Snowmass are world-class ski resorts with year round
entertainments. These towns are known for skiing, of course, but also offer fabulous recreation, culture, shopping, dining and fall
colors. The area is rich in history and prehistory! The largest collection of Pleistocene mastodon remains in the world was
discovered in Snowmass in the fall of 2010.
Snowmass Village is a former ranching community nestled in the Brush Creek valley. It has an astounding array of recreation
opportunities including the largest vertical rise of any ski area in the country, extensive hiking, biking and walking trails. Locals and
visitors mingle comfortably on the slopes, trails, bars and restaurants of this unique Colorado mountain town.
The Aspen area is the ancestral homeland of the Ute Indians. By 1893 Aspen was a booming silver town with 13,000
people, six newspapers, two railroads, three schools, three banks, electric lights, a hospital, two theaters, an opera house, and a
brothel district. However, in November of 1893 the town’s decline as a mining boom town began. Reborn as a ski town in the 1940s,
Aspen’s popularity soared. Aspen’s charming Victorian architecture still houses restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques.
Aspen was also molded into a cultural center with a core value that emphasizes that a complete person can live in a
community that nourishes the mind, body and spirit. Aspen and Snowmass are proud to be innovative communities offering worldclass culture and humanities including Snowmass’ Anderson Ranch Arts Center, the Aspen Institute, Aspen Historical Society, Aspen
Art Museum, and much more.
The Program Committee seeks proposals that:
o
Address old issues in new and innovative ways to promote discussion and action
o
Provide hands-on demonstrations, workshops or debates that shed new light on key issues
o
Introduce innovative ideas and programs to other institutions
o
Share successful solutions or situations that created the need to rethink and adapt
These proposals will focus on innovation in developing, marketing, and delivering our product, building audience, and strengthening
sustainability. What can we learn from your institution, and others you know of, that are working to meet today’s challenges?
Proposals must be submitted on a Proposal Form. Save and Submit proposals to MPMAs program committee via email:
lisa@aspenhistory.org
Sincerely,
Lisa Hancock, Curator
Aspen Historical Society
Peter Welch, Professor and Director of Museum Studies
University of Kansas
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
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Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
Proposal Form
Submitted by__________________
Session/Workshop Title_________________________
STOP!!! After completing the Proposal Form verify that you have read the Guidelines and Requirements for Conference
Presenters and Presenters Commitment, type your name and session/workshop title in the space provided above.
We are looking for creative, innovative, engaging sessions and workshops that address the conference theme. To apply,
please complete the following pertinent proposal information. Return this document beginning with page 2 via e-mail
to Lisa or Peter. PLEASE NOTE: Incomplete and single-speaker (sessions only) proposals will be returned to the
submitter for completion before review by the Program Committee.
During the review process a member of the Program Committee may contact chairs for clarification or further
information. The Program Committee will contact session and workshop proposers as soon as decisions have been
made. Session Chairs are expected to confirm their panelists’ commitment to participate and register for the
conference.
Please complete the following:
Session Title: ________________________________________________
Session Format:
_____ Panel _____Workshop
Other_______________________
Please check the most appropriate category for your session (LIMIT 3)
Administration
Emerging Museum Professionals
Membership/Development
Advocacy
Evaluation
Professional Development
Archives/Libraries
Exhibits
Publishing
Capital Projects
Facilities/Operations/Security
Small Museums
Collections/Collections Management
Financial Management
Succession Planning
Commercial
Funding/Fundraising
Stores/Shops
Community Engagement/Collaboration
Historic Preservation/Heritage Management
Technology/Digitization/New Media
Conservation
Leadership/Governance
Tribal
Director/CEO
Legal/Ethical Issues
Tourism/Heritage Tourism
Diversity/Inclusivity
Living Collections
Volunteers/Visitor Services
Education/Interpretation
Marketing/PR
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
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Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
1. Session Abstract: (150 words maximum)
2. Outcomes – Workshops only (100 words maximum)
What will attendees gain, learn, or be able to do after attending the workshop?
Session/Workshop Marketing
1. Session Title: Brief is better for marketing please provide a short title and description.
Title (3 words max):
Description (2 sentences max):
2. Session Description: (50 words maximum) for use in printed annual meeting program guide if
accepted. MPMA has the right to edit:
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
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Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
Please list all the participants including the chair – no more than 3 panelists.
Session Chair Name:
Title:
Institution:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Presenter 1 Name:
Title:
Institution:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Presenter 2 Name:
Title:
Institution:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Email:
Presenter 3 Name:
Title:
Institution:
Mailing Address:
City, State, Zip:
Phone:
Email:
SAVE AND SUBMIT PROPOSALS TO MPMA’S PROGRAM COMMITTEE VIA EMAIL:
Lisa@aspenhistory.org
Mountain-Plains Museums Association
7110 West David Drive
Littleton, Colorado 80128-5404
303-979-9358
mountplains@aol.com
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
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Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
Guidelines and Requirements for Conference Presenters
Chairs: Each session must have a chairperson responsible for finding other speakers and coordinating logistics. Chairs
will be the main contact between MPMA and their panelists. MPMA will NOT contact panelists.
FOR-PROFIT: For-profit companies that desire to submit a session proposal must exhibit or provide the equivalent
amount in sponsorship for the conference. See MPMA Guidelines for Commercial Sessions. There are a limited number
of slots available.
AV and Room Arrangements: Chairs must submit AV and room arrangement requests to MPMA by June 13, 2011.
MPMA will not provide laptops, overhead projectors, carousel projectors and LCDs for Macs. LCD projectors that will be
provided may not be compatible with Macs.
How to Select a Topic: Think of this as sharing ideas you have or challenges you’ve experienced with the field while
encouraging discussion of significant issues among your colleagues.
Selecting Your Chair and Panelists: Every session must have a chairperson who is responsible for the organization and
management of the session including logistics, requests for materials and equipment, communication with participants
and MPMA staff, and leading the session itself. Most sessions include one chairperson and up to three presenters. If
more than three panelists are listed, the program committee may accept the session but will remove panelists as it
deems appropriate. A single panelist is discouraged. Panelists should bring balance to the session. Panelists from
different museums and states are encouraged.
Registration Fees & Cost: Chairs and panelists must register for the annual meeting for the day on which they speak.
Speakers are encouraged to take advantage of their attendance and register for the full meeting. MPMA does not pay
travel costs or honoraria for any session chairs or panelists. Session chairs are responsible for making sure that all
panelists register for the annual meeting.
Time: All sessions are one hour and fifteen minutes (75 minutes). This must include time for questions and answers.
SESSION and WORKSHOP FORMATS
A Panel typically has more than one main speaker and examines problems and issues, often with contrasting
perspectives. Each panel must have a chair and may have up to three additional speakers. Panel sessions are normally
75 minutes including ample time for questions and answers.
A Roundtable considers a specific issue in an informal group discussion led by one or two session leaders (including the
chairperson). Discussion leaders should use effective techniques to stimulate maximum group participation.
A Point/Counterpoint session has two speakers who each take an opposing viewpoint on a current issue or hot topic in
the field. This lively debate is followed by ample time for audience discussion.
A Theatre/Performance session has at least two speakers or presenters. The session goal is to demonstrate performance
as an interpretive and programming tool. The session should include performances as well as a program overview and
evaluation. The 75-minute session should include time for discussion and questions and answers.
A Question and Answer session with at least two experts to field audience questions about a specific topic that is
relevant to museums, such as curation, exhibits/ interpretation, education or collections management.
MOUNTAIN-PLAINS MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
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Mountain-Plains Museums Association www.mpma.net
A Workshop teaches special skills in a small group setting. Workshops are led by experts and include appropriate printed
materials that workshop leaders provide. The workshop chair may set a limit for enrollment. Your proposal should
specify the particular skills the workshop will teach, as well as the methods and techniques instructors will use.
Workshops are scheduled for Tuesday as a pre-meeting event during the annual conference. Workshops can be full-day
or half-day. All workshops carry a fee. There are a limited number of slots for these.
Presenter’s Commitment
This section is VERY IMPORTANT!
Before you agree to chair a session or workshop or to ask others to join you, note the following:
All presenters are expected to register for the conference if they plan on attending any sessions or workshops other
than the one in which they are participating.
MPMA does not have special rates nor does it pay for travel expenses or stipends for presenters.
It is the session chair’s responsibility to ensure that all panelists attend the conference.
It is the session chair’s responsibility to notify MPMA and their program committee liaison if the panelists are not able to
present the session at the conference BEFORE the Preliminary program is printed. Last day to withdraw is April 30,
2014. Repeated withdrawals can result in rejection of future proposals.
It is the responsibility of session chairs to forward relevant correspondence from MPMA to its presenters (i.e., the
preliminary and final programs so they can see schedule and room assignments for sessions and workshops). MPMA will
not be in direct contact with presenters. It will contact chairs only.
PowerPoint Presenters: To ensure compatibility with your panelists, bring your own laptop and a disk. Better yet, put all
presentations on one laptop, disk or flash drive BEFORE your session or workshop.
MACs are often incompatible with LCD projectors. If you must bring your Mac, please bring your own cables and
projector. MPMA will NOT provide Mac projectors or cables.
MPMA will NOT provide the following: speakers, recorders, mic, laptops, overhead projectors and other specialized
equipment. MPMA will NOT provide internet access.
MPMA will provide AV cart, screen, and LCD projector in each room, but is always grateful to those who provide their
own projector.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Proposal Deadline: January 10, 2014
Acceptance by Moderators: April 2, 2014
Last Day to withdraw Proposal: April 30, 2014
Notification from the Program Committee: April 1, 2014
Final session/workshop text submitted: April 3, 2014
Preliminary Program out: May 2014
AV and room needs: June 13, 2014
STOP!! After completing the Proposal Form verify that you have read the Guidelines and Requirements for
Conference Presenters and Presenters Commitment, type your name and session/workshop title in the space provided
at the top of page 2.
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