Museums Run on People: Why Staff Visibility is Advocacy

​What would change if we made museum workers more visible? Museums are powered by people, yet too often, audiences only see the objects, programs or exhibitions, not the staff who make those experiences possible. When whole departments are being cut, visibility becomes a form of advocacy. This session explores how museums can use marketing, communications, and development platforms to center their staff authentically. From real staff bio pages and social media spotlights to including front-line voices in newsletters and appeals, showcasing the humans behind the mission helps audiences understand what’s truly at stake when museum roles disappear. We’ll share real examples of museums doing this well and brainstorm creative, accessible ways to highlight your teams, even with limited resources.

​Speakers: Alli Schell, Peyson Dauley, and Annelise Conway