The Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) Leadership Institute plays a crucial role in developing museum professionals by fostering leadership skills, strategic thinking, and industry best practices. It was developed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and launched virtually in 2020 to meet the moment and that unique moment in time for museum professionals. In the years that followed, SEMC successfully adapted the Institute to an in-person program (as designed) and graduated two strong cohorts in 2022 and 2024. Today (early 2025), the museum field faces another period of unprecedented challenges and rapid change and adjustment. To ensure the Institute continues to meet the evolving needs of participants and the broader museum field, SEMC staff and stakeholders will pause the program in 2026 to conduct a comprehensive evaluation. The purpose of this evaluation is to:

Assess Program Impact and Effectiveness

An evaluation will provide critical insights into the Leadership Institute’s effectiveness in achieving its objectives. By gathering feedback from past participants, institutional partners, and stakeholders, we will assess whether the program (present and future) is successfully equipping museum professionals with the necessary skills to advance their careers and contribute to the field.

Ensure Relevance and Adaptability

The museum industry is constantly evolving due to changes in funding models, technology, and audience engagement strategies. Evaluating the Leadership Institute will help SEMC identify areas where the curriculum, delivery methods, and resources may need updating to remain relevant and responsive to these shifts.

Strengthen Stakeholder Confidence

Conducting a formal evaluation will demonstrate SEMC’s commitment to accountability and continuous improvement. Funders, institutional partners, and prospective participants can be confident about the program’s value when backed by data-driven insights and demonstrated outcomes.

Inform Future Program Development

The evaluation will offer actionable recommendations for refining and expanding the Leadership Institute. It may reveal opportunities for new learning formats, mentorship enhancements, or networking initiatives that can further strengthen the program’s long-term impact.

Support Sustainable Growth

By identifying strengths and areas for improvement, the evaluation will contribute to the sustainability and scalability of the Leadership Institute. Understanding what works well and where adjustments are needed will allow SEMC to allocate resources more efficiently and enhance the overall participant experience.

A formal evaluation of the SEMC Leadership Institute in 2026 will provide a data-driven foundation for improving the program, ensuring its continued relevance, and reinforcing its role as a premier leadership development initiative for museum professionals.

We look forward to sharing evaluation results and relaunching the Leadership Institute in 2028!

Please contact SEMC Executive Director, Zinnia Willits with questions

zwillits@semcdirect.net