About

What is EMP (Emerging Museum Professionals)?

The EMP group was started by a handful of AAM’s emerging staffers who recognized that people new to the museum field needed a better roadmap for career development and networking. AAM is the American Association of Museums. This organization expanded the idea of EMP to a national scale and there are currently active EMP networks in eleven cities, including Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago! Each network is organized by one or more local museum professionals, and most active areas have 4-10 events each year.

Am I an EMP?

Emerging Museum Professionals are museum or arts-related staff/employees that have been in the field for 10 years or less. This covers a wide range of people—from traditional museum staff to arts consulting firms, art students to teaching artists! If you are interested in this group, then you are in!

What can I expect from EMP?

That is the beauty of this group! We can get what we want and need out of it for our local community—whether that be networking, professional development, or something else!

What can I contribute to EMP?

Your ideas, enthusiasm and community. We want to hear from all of you—what kind of experiences are you looking for? Do you have resources our group could use for an event or program? maybe a venue or a great speaker? Finally, the most important things you can do is spread the word. The larger our network is, the better! If you are interested in planning an event or have a great idea—let us know.

To be added to our mailing list, receive updates on EMP gatherings or suggest an activity, join the EMP listserv or contact us.

How does the EMP blog work?

The EMP blog is written by EMPs, for EMPs. The theme for this blog is developing shared knowledge within the EMP community, with the goal of continuing to strengthen the museum field by focusing on the newest generation of professionals. It is managed by the leaders of the EMP regional groups, who form the EMP Advisory Council (EMPAC). Once the blog is formally up and running, EMPAC will be seeking additional contributors who want to help lead these national discussions among EMPs. If you are interested in learning more about how you can get involved, please contact blog administrator Caitlin Lill at clklill(@)gmail(.)com.