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2026 NEMA Board Application Form

The NEMA Board Nominating Committee is now accepting applications to join the NEMA Board of Directors. Anyone is eligible to apply. Competitive applicants will have a track record of active NEMA membership and service to the organization. NEMA is committed to ensuring diversity in its Board representation.

We are seeking diverse candidates with a range of skills and perspectives, including but not limited to:
  • Diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and justice (DEAIJ) knowledge
  • Cultural heritage and museum legal professional expertise
  • Environmental sustainability experience
  • Human resources or organizational management expertise

For the 2026 cycle, we are especially interested in candidates whose current work is based in Connecticut or Rhode Island, as well as young museum leaders who are eager to help shape the future of the museum field in New England.

Applications to the NEMA Board must include:
Completed application form
Copy of your resume
Three references with phone and email contact information

This form is due by May 8, 2026.

Potential candidates may be contacted to schedule a brief interview with Nominating Committee members.

If you would like to recommend a candidate, please contact nominating@nemanet.org.

Please email nominating@nemanet.org if you have questions about this application or the application process.

2026 NEMA Nominating Committee:
Emily Pearce, Chair
Raney Bench
Tiffini Bowers
Chris Newell
Allison Schilling
Margaret Tamulonis
1.Applicant Name(Required.)
2.Title(Required.)
3.Organization(Required.)
4.Phone number(Required.)
5.Email address(Required.)
6.Please upload your current resume as a PDF.
No file chosen
7.Please provide 3 references with email address and phone number for each.
8.Please explain why you would like to join NEMA’s Board of Directors. Include a.) What skill sets, mindsets, and/or experience you can contribute that will benefit and grow the Board, and, b.) What you hope to attain and how you hope to grow from your participation on the Board. (Maximum of 350 words.)
9.Briefly describe your professional museum experience, including your current role. (This can include volunteer or consultant experience with museums.) (Maximum of 350 words.)
10.Describe your involvement with NEMA over time. (This can include conference attendance, Professional Affinity Gatherings (PAG), writing an article for NEMA, participating in a NEMA webinar, virtual gatherings, etc.) (Maximum of 250 words.)
Please choose two of the following questions to answer.

A. NEMA is committed to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion work in the museum field.  Please describe how you would help NEMA advance this process.

B. NEMA connects a community engaged in learning, collaboration, and action to cultivate a better museum world. How will your skills and expertise contribute to this mission?

C. Below are NEMA’s strategic values. Please describe how your skills and expertise can advance one or more of these values.
  • NEMA exists to cultivate a better museum world.
  • NEMA believes that all people should be treated equitably, and that equity centers on changing the museum structures that are systemically oppressive.
  • NEMA believes in expanding and enriching the diversity and interconnectedness of the museum field. 
  • NEMA believes that the existential threat of the global environmental crisis poses unprecedented risk to museums, historic resources, and belongings of cultural value, requiring immediate sector-wide action.
  • NEMA believes in anticipating, assessing, and fulfilling the evolving needs of our museum community.
  • NEMA believes that the people, stories, collections, and experiences that enliven museums have the ability to create a more just society.
D. Please complete this statement and explain your answer.  “The future of museums is….”
11.Response to first question:
(Maximum of 250 words.)
12.Response to second question:
(Maximum of 250 words.)