New Year, New Programs
Small Museums are truly unique in their ability to make individuals feel seen, heard, and supported. The Curator may tell the stories but the Educator makes them come alive for the visitor. Programs are the heart of a successful museum. Building programs and events that connect to many types of audiences drives a small museum’s ability to grow both financially and in visitation. However, it can be hard to navigate what works for your museum. Whether you’re starting from scratch or your institution has well-established programs, building partnerships, trying new technology, and branching out are vital to a small museum.
In this SMAll Talk, Kristen Matulewicz, Curator of Rockwood Park & Museum and Chair of SMA’s Programs Committee will share resources and lead an interactive workshop guiding participants through a programmatic think-tank. Working together, participants will help each other develop new programs or adapt old ones for new audiences.
Before joining Rockwood as Curator, she had a 12-year career in Museum Education working across a range of museum sizes and types including history, science, historic houses, and art museums. Kristen has built a notable reputation for her strong background working with local communities, underserved populations, and practicing artists to create opportunities for accessible learning. Recipient of the Delaware Art Educators Association’s M.U.S.E Educator of the Year for 2022 in the field of museums, Kristen’s innovative education approaches have garnered widespread acclaim. Her insights have been featured in top media outlets, including the Fox 29, Delaware State News, Delaware News Journal, and on WDDE Radio, WRDE Coast TV, The 302, and Delmarva Life.
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.