Save the Date for SEMC 2022: Northwest, Arkansas

ANNOUNCING THE SEMC 2022 LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

SEMC is thrilled to announce the 2022 Leadership Institute: Leading for Today’s Challenges, which will be offered as an in-person program run over the course of one week in April 2022.

After years of thoughtful planning, curriculum design, and diligent forward movement, developed in partnership with the Association of African American Museums, with additional support from the National

Museum of African American History and

Culture-Office of Strategic Partnerships, the SEMC Leadership Institute was first offered in fall 2020. Although COVID adjustments necessitated the Institute launch as a virtual program, the experience was powerful and contained a solid curriculum taught by leaders in their fields, that covered six areas:

Duke Mansion, Charlotte, North Carolina. • Reflecting Your Best Self • Building Inclusive Cultures • Strategic Communication and Thinking • Leadership Challenges • Adaptive Leadership • Creating Your Best Self as an Organization

The 2022 Leadership Institute will once again focus on developing diverse and inclusive future museum leaders who:

• Can identify and build on their existing personal strengths • Assess how to maximize these strengths internally in an organization and externally as part of a community • Identify methods to capitalize on their strengths and their environment to move an institution forward

Final cohort, SEMC Leadership Institute 2020.

The program, focused on leadership training for staff of small and mid-sized institutions, will offer peer-topeer learning and reflection in addition to high-

quality instruction and guidance from the

accomplished faculty. With a cohort of no more than 16, the Leadership Institute will offer attendees a reflective, supportive experience and provide directed opportunities to look both inward and outward, develop inclusive leadership skills, and identify everyone’s best self in the process.

Who should apply?

The 2022 Leadership Institute aims to cultivate a diverse cohort of museum professionals who are at the mid-career level and beyond, looking for a program to develop skills that will assist and empower them to be inclusive, forward-thinking leaders of departments, organizations, boards as well as encourage purposeful connection and partnerships with the communities their organizations serve.

Cost

The 2022 Leadership Institute tuition is $1,500 for SEMC and AAAM members and $1,600 for non-members.

Application deadline

Applications for the 2022 Leadership Institute will be accepted through January 15, 2022. Applicants will be notified of the outcome by early February 2022.

Questions?

Please reach out to Zinnia Willits, SEMC Executive Director at zwillits@semcdirect.net

A few thoughts on the Institute from the 2020 cohort:

This Institute has given me such confidence that I did not have before... I now feel more empowered as a museum professional with the connections and tools that I need to continue to improve in this field. You will not be the same; you will be more successful and prepared to adapt to obstacles....

I have attended a number of workshops where there was zero confidence in the instructor’s real-world experience/ application. The faculty from this Institute shared from a place of real-world experience and authenticity.... This Institute injected hope, inspiration, and motivation in a way that was not forced but rooted in deep reflection and commonality of cause.

The Institute opened my eyes to the tools and strategies that I could use to navigate the daily challenges of the museum field and leadership, to build a more impactful future, and to become the next, improved version of myself. It also provided me with an opportunity to engage with a group of amazing, like-minded professionals.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO APPLY https://semcdirect.net/Leadership-Institute

Save the Date for SEMC 2022

OCTOBER 24–26, 2022, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SEMC 2022 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Mark your calendars for the 2022 SEMC Annual Meeting which will be held at The Embassy Suites and Rogers Convention Center which features 400 guest rooms and 125,000 square feet of flexible meeting space under one roof. There are over 60 restaurants within a mile and a half as well as museums, cultural sites and even a Topgolf within walking distance for extra fun!

Rogers (similar in metro population size to Chattanooga, TN or Lexington, KY) is nestled in the middle of Northwest Arkansas (NWA) in the Ozark mountains. NWA is one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. With over a half million residents and counting, NWA is poised to be one of the nation’s 100 largest metropolitan statistical areas by 2023. The bulk of the region’s population consists of Rogers and its three next-door neighbors, Bentonville, Fayetteville, and Springdale. In yet another unique conference year, all four cities will play host to SEMC2022 events providing attendees an opportunity to visit each location and experience the museums and historic sites that make up its cultural fabric including the famed Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville and satellite campus The Momentary, a contemporary art space for visual, performing, and culinary arts.

Why the growth?

NWA has long been known nationally as home to industry giants Walmart, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. Many other Fortune 500 companies that do business with the “Big Three” have offices in the region, including Procter & Gamble, Unilever, 3M, General Mills, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, Hershey, and more than 1,400 other companies. Those fortunate enough to relocate to Rogers and the region, enjoy a quality of place almost unmatched anywhere in the country. NWA is also home to the University of Arkansas and its nearly 28,000 students. The University conducts cutting edge research in a variety of sectors.

What about getting to Rogers?

Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) makes getting to Rogers and Northwest Arkansas a breeze. The airport is located 12 miles from the Convention Center. With 25 destinations, XNA now has the most direct flights in the state and more than some metros twice its size. American, Delta, United, Breeze, Allegiant, and Frontier all fly through XNA. Taxis, Ubers, Lyfts, and car rentals are all available at the airport for your convenience as well as group shuttle options. Information forthcoming. Located near the geographic center of the country, Northwest Arkansas can be an easy drive from nearby cities; 2 hours from Tulsa, 3 hours from Kansas City, 3 hours from Little Rock, 3.5 hours from Oklahoma City, 4 hours from Wichita, 5 hours from Dallas, 5 hours from Memphis, and 5 hours from St. Louis.

What makes Rogers and NWA different?

The Natural State: Wherever you go in Arkansas there are endless outdoor activities and NWA is certainly no exception. The Ozark mountains offer unexpected outdoor excursions few places in the country can rival. You can scuba dive in Beaver Lake, spelunk in War Eagle Cavern, or hop on a mountain bike in a designated IMBA Ride Center.

Arrive early, stay late — experience a unique part of the SEMC region in 2022. More details and registration information coming soon!