About the Institute
Engage Forward: 21st Century Museum Professionals LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy and Development) is a professional development program created by a partnership of Oklahoma Museums Association (OMA) and the Mountain Plains Museums Association (MPMA). The Institute will be February 2-3, 2027 and is a two day virtual institute.

Engage Forward is designed for new and emerging executive leadership at small and mid-sized museums within the ten-state Mountain-Plains region. This program will produce a new leadership cohort of 30 individuals from the MPMA region who will participate in online professional development focused on four foundational learning pillars essential to successful museum administration today: Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy, and Development.

This program seeks museum professionals who have been promoted into leadership roles and seek focused, intentional training to guide their institutions in an increasingly complex museum landscape. Sessions will be led by nationally recognized content experts and will move beyond basic administration to address strategic leadership, sustainability, and emerging challenges.

This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services 21st Century Museum Professionals Program Project grant.

Program Timeline
June 1-August 31, 2026: Institute applications open
October 1, 2026: Participants notified of acceptance
November 1, 2026: Pre-institute participant survey
December 1-January 31, 2027: Institute pre-work (4 hours on your own time)
February 2-3, 2027: 2-day virtual institute
February 4-11, 2027: Post-institute participant survey

Participants Will Gain
This cohort will be empowered with skills directly applicable to their new leadership roles. The project also will create formal and informal networking opportunities, connecting museum professionals across different states and institutions. These networks will facilitate the exchange of best practices, resources, and ideas, fostering a collaborative culture that helps address shared challenges.

Eligibility
Applicants must:
-Be employed at a small or mid-sized museum (typically 3–10 staff members)
-Be in an executive or senior leadership role (e.g., Executive Director, Director, Administrator, Museum Manager, CEO, or equivalent)
-Have less than three (3) years of experience in an executive leadership position
-Work in one of the ten MPMA states: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, or Montana
-Be able to attend the virtual two-day institute Feb. 2-3, 2027

Institute Support
Selected participants will receive:
-Complimentary MPMA membership
-Ongoing access to digital leadership modules following the institute
-Certificate of completion
-Access to peer network
-Valuable knowledge and skills to foster their careers in a leadership position

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* 1. Please provide your full name.

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* 2. Are you currently employed at a museum?

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* 3. What is your job title?

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* 4. Enter the name of your museum.

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* 5. Type of museum

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* 6. City where your museum is located or where do you reside if not currently employed by a museum or similar institution.

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* 7. State where your museum is located or where do you reside if not currently employed by a museum or similar institution.

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* 9. Please provide your phone number.

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* 10. How long have you been in your current leadership role?

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* 11. Total years working in the museum field:

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* 12. Number of paid staff at your museum:

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* 13. Have you held a leadership position outside of the museum industry?

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* 14. If you answered 'Yes' to the previous question, please include details (title, industry, role, etc.):

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* 15. Describe your current role and leadership responsibilities. (Maximum 500 words)

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* 16. What challenges do you face as a new or emerging museum administrator? (Maximum 500 words)

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* 17. Why would you like to participate in the Engage Forward LEAD Institute? (Maximum 500 words)

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* 18. Which of the four learning pillars do you most want to strengthen, and why? Select all that apply and explain your choice.

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* 19. How will you apply what you learn at your museum? What impact do you hope to make in your museum or community over the next 3-5 years? (Maximum 400 words)

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* 20. How will you share knowledge with others (e.g., staff, board, state or regional associations, conference presentations, workshops, or webinars)? (Maximum 400 words)

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* 21. Please confirm that your museum supports your participation as the institute will be conducted during business hours:

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* 22. Please acknowledge you will provide a letter of support from your Supervisor or Board if selected?

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* 23. Name and Title of Supervisor or Board Contact:

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* 25. Phone Number of Supervisor or Board Contact:

The next four questions are for demographic and geographic representation. (Optional)

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* 26. Museum Governance Type

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* 27. Community Served (check all that apply)

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* 28. Check which industry organizations your museum is a member (select all that apply)

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* 29. Applicant Signature. By typing your name in this box, it serves as your legal signature:

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* 30. Date of submission:

Engage Forward: 21st Century Museum Professionals LEAD (Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy and Development) is a professional development program created by a partnership of Oklahoma Museums Association (OMA) and the Mountain Plains Museums Association (MPMA). This project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services 21st Century Museum Professionals Program Project grant.

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