Professional Development

How might you benefit from and contribute to the culture of learning at Smithsonian Affiliations?

Professional Development

How might you benefit from and contribute to the culture of learning at Smithsonian Affiliations?

A defining feature of our Affiliate network is our collective dedication to ongoing learning and professional growth. At Affiliations, we strive to provide supports and resources that directly address the needs of our Affiliates, while staying responsive to the evolving challenges of our field. A key part of what we do involves learning from each other.  The rich mix of skills and stories our members bring to the table adds value and  meaning to our network.

Unlock Smithsonian Resources

Smithsonian is a powerful learning community with scholars and leaders whose expertise covers a wide variety of domains. Affiliates are able to unlock the resources and expertise and leverage it for their team’s unique learning goals. Our team works closely with Affiliates to match Smithsonian resources with Affiliate needs providing access to everything from actionable tools to tailored workshops with Smithsonian scholars.

Networking and Peer Learning

We offer opportunities for growth and connection through networking and peer learning initiatives. You will have the opportunity to join virtual learning experiences, convenings in Washington, D.C., retreats, cohort programs tailored to your interests, and office hours for peer-to-peer discussions.  These experiences are designed to spark collaboration, share innovative practices, and tackle community challenges.

Affiliate Learning Hub

There is extraordinary work being done across the network and we want to surface, share, and celebrate that work and thought leadership. The Affiliate Learning Hub aims to do just that by centralizing resources, best practices, and tools shared by and designed with Affiliates. The goal is a space for shared expertise and actionable insights,  all aimed at supporting your work in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion, fundraising, and community engagement.

Leading with Learning

We celebrate Affiliates who are committed both to building a culture of learning within their organizations and to sharing their thought leadership with the Affiliate network.

Here are some examples of Affiliates who have leveraged professional development opportunities in their organizations. How does this inspire you? For organizations interested in applying to be an Affiliate, we encourage you to include your ideas in the Statement of Purpose as a part of the Affiliate application.

Staff Training + Workshops

Our team works to connect Affiliates with training opportunities led by subject matter experts from the Smithsonian network on topics ranging from accessibility to STEM to collections management.

Learning Opportunity

The High Desert Museum (Bend, Or)

New Perspectives on Sharing Complex Histories

Facilitated by their National Outreach Manager, the High Desert Museum and the Museum of Warm Springs explored collaborative storytelling between tribal and non-tribal museums. They focused on sharing complex Indigenous histories and visited Smithsonian museums in D.C. for inspiration and learning. This experience, which included engaging with Smithsonian collections and experts, was transformative, providing new perspectives and techniques for presenting Indigenous experiences in their own institutions. Dr. Dana Whitelaw, Executive Director of High Desert Museum, highlighted the crucial role of their Smithsonian affiliation, stating, "Being able to tap into the Smithsonian resources through our affiliate membership was what made that trip work.”

Affiliate Example

Conferences and Retreats

Smithsonian Affiliations has historically hosted an annual interactive conference designed to be a place where Affiliate and Smithsonian colleagues come together to share what they're working on and learn from each other. We are now building on that success to launch an even more responsive and tailored approach to the standard conference with a series of smaller targeted learning retreats.

Learning Opportunity

The Museum of Flight (Seattle, WA)

Conferences as a Launchpad for Learning

"A direct result of the Affiliates conference was, we were talking about how to make a museum more accessible to audiences with disabilities," says Seth Margolis, Director of Education at The Museum of Flight. "Rather than trying to go through non-museum partners, Laura [their National Outreach Manager] linked us up with Access Smithsonian. That jumping-off point of, there's already a museum thinking about this; let's partner with them and get those resources."

Affiliate Example

Shared Expertise

We design resources that spotlight best practices, case studies, and hard-earned insights from within our network, offering a window into the real-world applications and challenges of projects like exhibit design, staff, and volunteer management. Accompanied by practical tools, templates, and guides, these resources are designed to inspire and facilitate action, helping you navigate your projects with confidence and creativity.

Learning Opportunity

Explore Affiliate Stories

The Learning Hub includes case studies highlighting the work of peers from across the Affiliate network. Explore a few of our Affiliate Stories below:

Explore LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes' journey, from pop-up culinary events to the creation of LA Plaza Cocina.

See how the Rhode Island Historical Society has energized its operations and community engagement by creating a Teen Advisory Board.

Discover how the Denver Museum of Nature and Science transformed its Space Odyssey exhibit by prioritizing community input.

Learn More

Affiliate Example

Learning Opportunity

Affiliate Example

Staff Training + Workshops

Our team works to connect Affiliates with training opportunities led by subject matter experts from the Smithsonian network on topics ranging from accessibility to STEM to collections management.

THE HIGH DESERT MUSEUM (BEND, OR)

New Perspectives on Sharing Complex Histories

Facilitated by their National Outreach Manager, the High Desert Museum and the Museum of Warm Springs explored collaborative storytelling between tribal and non-tribal museums. They focused on sharing complex Indigenous histories and visited Smithsonian museums in D.C. for inspiration and learning. This experience, which included engaging with Smithsonian collections and experts, was transformative, providing new perspectives and techniques for presenting Indigenous experiences in their own institutions. Dr. Dana Whitelaw, Executive Director of High Desert Museum, highlighted the crucial role of their Smithsonian affiliation, stating, “Being able to tap into the Smithsonian resources through our affiliate membership was what made that trip work.”

Learning Opportunity

AFFILIATE Example

Conferences and Retreats

Smithsonian Affiliations has historically hosted an annual interactive conference designed to be a place where Affiliate and Smithsonian colleagues come together to share what they’re working on and learn from each other. We are now building on that success to launch an even more responsive and tailored approach to the standard conference with a series of smaller targeted learning retreats.

THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT (SEATTLE, WA)

Conferences as a Launch Pad for Learning

“A direct result of the Affiliates conference was, we were talking about how to make a museum more accessible to audiences with disabilities,” says Seth Margolis, Director of Education at The Museum of Flight. “Rather than trying to go through non-museum partners, Laura [their National Outreach Manager] linked us up with Access Smithsonian. That jumping-off point of, there’s already a museum thinking about this; let’s partner with them and get those resources.”

Learning Opportunity

AFFILIATE Example

Shared Expertise

Explore Affiliate Stories

The Learning Hub includes case studies highlighting the work of peers from across the Affiliate network. Explore a few of our Affiliate Stories below:

Explore LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ journey, from pop-up culinary events to the creation of LA Plaza Cocina.
See how the Rhode Island Historical Society has energized its operations and community engagement by creating a Teen Advisory Board.
Discover how the Denver Museum of Nature and Science transformed its Space Odyssey exhibit by prioritizing community input.

Learn More about about exploring affiliate stories