The South African Museums Association (SAMA) will take place from 6-8 September 2022 as a hybrid conference. The theme of the conference is ‘The Power of Museums’ borrowed from the International Council of Museums’ (ICOM) International Museum Day for 2022. Gail Lord is the keynote speaker this year.

In her recent Globe and Mail ‘op ed’, Gail describes how removed statues of fallen figures can help us understand the complexity of the past, to heal the present and create a better future.

In “We should use Canada’s fallen statues to start a public conversation about our history”, Gail Lord launches the concept and calls for “Aware-houses” that display these monuments from the past as the foundation of a more healing conversation that starts with the framework that history and values are ever-changing.

Share your thoughts and ideas for "Aware-house" locations.

In this special, two-part episode, learn about Marcy Grossman’s public service career spanning 27 years -- up to her appointment as Canadian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Yvonne speaks to Marcy about her experience as a Jewish woman working in a predominantly Arab country that’s just celebrated it’s 50th anniversary, the UAE’s achievements in economic growth, innovation, and the role of women in society. Marcy also speaks to the importance of Expo Dubai 2021 and Canada’s representation at the Expo among 191 participating countries. Finally, get insights on how the Canadian pavilion was used locally, on the ground, to showcase Canadian culture.

Tune in to Season 3 of Lord Cultural Resources’ popular streaming video series to get the very latest commentary by thought leaders in the cultural sector around the world. Quick hits in under 10 minutes, “Culture Break” interviews bring you practical insights, emerging trends, and lived experiences.

Museums, like all organizations, are grappling with the need to be more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible. Because museums are caretakers of cultural history and among society’s most trusted institutions, the moral imperative to live IDEA values is even more urgent. Read this document to learn the key takeaways from a panel discussion on IDEA at the 2022 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, moderated by Eve Moros Ortega, Director, Lord Cultural Resources.

Technology allows arts organizations to tell stories better, share knowledge, understand audiences, and increase operational efficiency. To harness the possibilities of technology, organizations need to understand their own internal capabilities, incorporate digital assessment into their strategic vision, and plan for future digital opportunities. Now more than ever, it is critical that arts organizations adopt digital tools and technologies to improve their operations, engage audiences, and innovate new ways of artistic presentation.