Museum Horror Stories
Small museums thrive because their staff are uniquely able to affect change by building close relationships with the communities, donors, and boards. Often small museums produce more innovative programming and unique experiences than larger museums because they provide the opportunities for staff to change direction and experiment. But what happens when it all goes wrong?
In this SMAll Talk conversation, we’re sharing our favorite and most frustrating museum moments that keep us up at night. From tails of red-tape and upset visitors to damaged collections and poor management (maybe even a few ghost stories) we’ll explore what we did in the moment or how we decided to let go in this community conversation.
After a brief presentation, participants will engage in facilitated discussions to share experiences, exchange ideas, and find a cathartic release so we can all Rest In Peace.
About SMAll Talk
SMAll Talk is a free virtual conversation series from the Small Museum Association designed to bring museum professionals together around timely topics impacting small museums. Each session begins with a brief presentation to introduce an idea, spark reflection, or provide practical context, followed by a facilitated discussion where participants can share experiences, ask questions, and learn from one another. SMAll Talk creates space for meaningful dialogue, practical takeaways, and community connection from colleagues across the field.