2026 Annual Conference: Session Information

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.

Call for Session Proposals

Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026

The Connecticut League of Museums invites session proposals for our 2026 Annual Conference, “The Next 250: Museums and the Future of Democracy,” which will take place June 1, 2026. With the Semiquincentennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence upon us, we will reflect on what this anniversary has—and has not—meant to our institutions and the communities we serve, and showcase the ideas, projects, and conversations that it has sparked in Connecticut and beyond. What lessons have we learned? What can we take ahead with us into the next 250 years? How can we shape the museum field of the future?

Read the full call for session proposals

Session Formats

Our conference welcomes a variety of breakout session formats, including but not limited to:

• Workshops (a training-focused deep dive; participants will come away with a new skill)
• Panel Presentations (a series of presentations on a theme)
• Interactive Sessions (an immersive experience for the audience)
• Case Studies (a deep dive into how programs, projects, or exhibits were created, implemented, and evaluated)
• Roundtable Discussions (an interactive conversation with the audience)
• Lightning Talks (a series of short, 2-3 minute talks centered around a theme or idea, with ample time for conversation afterward)
• Think Tank or Working Group (presenters and audience work together to brainstorm ideas, discuss an issue, or address a common challenge)

Conference sessions are typically one hour. To ensure time for questions and discussion, we recommend no more than three presentations per session if you are proposing a traditional panel. We accept proposals for complete sessions (preferred) or for single presentations/ideas that the committee may combine into a session.

Conference Session Brainstorming Meet-Ups

To help you connect with other folks who may have session ideas or topics similar to yours, the League will be hosting two virtual brainstorming and networking sessions. These are a great way to workshop your ideas with museum folk across communities, organizations, and disciplines, and connect with people who might be able to propose a session with you. League staff and conference committee members will be there to facilitate the conversation, hear your ideas, and help craft your thoughts into proposals.

• Register for the evening session on Tuesday, February 10th at 7 p.m.
• Register for the noontime session on Friday, February 13th at 12 p.m.

Submit a Session Proposal

All session proposals should be submitted via the online form by Monday, March 2, 2026.

To submit a session proposal, you will need:

• The name and contact information for your session coordinator
• Your session's title
• A brief abstract of your session (50 words or less) for the conference program
• Name, title/role, affiliation (if applicable), and a brief bio for each presenter
• Your session's format (panel, roundtable, workshop, performance, think tank, etc.)
• The level for which your session is intended (introductory, intermediate, advanced)
• A description (250 words or less) of your session, identifying its main objectives, how you will be addressing them, its relation to the conference theme, and its intended audience
• Three expected takeaways of your session

You may submit a session proposal as an individual, as part of an organization, or as a student. You do not have to be a League member to participate in the conference. We welcome submissions from museums of all sizes and disciplines, as well as grassroots history, culture, and community organizations.

Conference session proposals are for breakout sessions only.  The conference committee does not accept unsolicited proposals for keynotes.