The Small Museum Association offers funding for scholarships each year through the generosity of past conference organizers and attendees as well as several partner museum organizations. All scholarships cover the cost of conference registration as well as hotel and meals.
The Small Museum Association is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a generous grant from the Pomeroy Foundation. This grant will be utilized to support SMA scholarships, enabling the organization to offer several scholarships that will cover the full cost of attending the SMA Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia, in 2024. Additionally, each scholarship recipient will receive a travel and hotel stipend of $500 to assist with expenses after the conference.
The Pomeroy Foundation is a private foundation based in Syracuse, New York, known for its commitment to preserving and promoting history. The foundation actively supports historical markers and institutions of interest across the country, recognizing the importance of preserving local heritage and culture. As such, the Pomeroy Foundation has recognized the vital role that small museums play in local communities. By supporting SMA's scholarship program, the foundation will empower professionals and volunteers in the museum industry, fostering professional development and ensuring access to valuable networking and learning opportunities.
Anyone affiliated with a museum, library, historical society, or related graduate study program (e.g., Museum Studies, Public History, Library and Information Studies, Historic Preservation) is eligible for the SMA Scholarships. This includes full-time or part-time employees, board members, students, interns, and volunteers. Museum organization scholarships may have additional restrictions. Applicants will automatically be considered for the scholarships for which they qualify. Past conference attendees are encouraged to apply, but previous scholarship winners are not eligible. First-time attendees and/or applicants that identify as belonging to a group historically underserved by the field are strongly encouraged to apply. Scholarships are open to residents of the United States and residents of countries that do not require a sponsored visa to visit the United States.
If selected, SMA scholarship recipients will be expected to agree to the following terms and conditions:
Scholarship applications are now closed.
Direct any questions to the SMA Scholarships & Awards Coordinator at scholarships@smallmuseum.org
Anyone affiliated with a museum, library, historical society, or related graduate study program (e.g. Museum Studies, Public History, Library and Information Studies, Historic Preservation) is eligible for the Lisa Mason-Chaney and Lesley van der Lee Scholarships. This includes full-time or part-time employees, board members, students, interns, and volunteers. Past conference attendees are encouraged to apply but previous scholarship winners are not eligible.
Lisa Mason-Chaney, a former president of the Small Museum Association, embodied the spirit of SMA by demonstrating exactly how much could be done by the smallest of us. As a museum professional, her knowledge of and dedication to professional standards and best practices was unparalleled. She showed by example that to be small meant to be dynamic, vital, engaging, and relevant to the community. The scholarship awarded in her honor supports funding for a Conference attendee who also reflects the same traits.
The Small Museum Association’s Lesley van der Lee Scholarships offer funding for several SMA Conference attendees. Lesley van der Lee is an important part of the history of the SMA, as she was often responsible for planning the SMA Conference during its formative years. Lesley designed legislation that provided for the Maryland Historical and Cultural Museum Assistance Program and taught up-and-coming museum professionals in the Museum Studies program at the George Washington University. The scholarship named in her honor covers the cost of conference registration, hotel room, meals and a one-year membership in the SMA.
if your organization would like to sponsor a scholarship, please email scholarships@smallmuseum.org for more information.
The Small Museum Association recognizes two museum professionals each year by selecting them for two awards, which are presented at the annual conference:
Nominating a colleague for either of these awards is an excellent opportunity to publicly acknowledge their hard work at one museum or in the small museum field. Nominations will be accepted through December 31, 2023. Award presentations will take place at the 2024 SMA Conference, which will be held at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, VA, February 19-21, 2024.
Nominate your colleague for an award here!
Contact the Scholarship & Awards Coordinator at scholarships@smallmuseum.org.