The call for Proposals For SEMC2027 Will open in November 2026.

Please refer to the schedule below for important dates and next steps.

A great conference requires great sessions! Thank you for taking the time to submit a proposal. The Program Committee review/decision schedule is as follows: 

• February 5, 2027: Session Proposals due 

• February 2027: Program Committee reviews and evaluates session proposals.

• March 11, 2027: Program Committee meets in Columbia, South Carolina to select proposals for inclusion in the SEMC2027 program.

• By late March, 2027: SEMC Program Administrator sends notification of Program Committee decisions to all proposal submitters.

About the 2027 Conference Theme 

Cultures in Convergence: Museums, Communities, and Change

Museums have always been places where people, histories, ideas, and experiences come together. Today, those points of connection feel both more important and more complex than ever.

Cultures in Convergence: Museums, Communities, and Change explores what happens when different perspectives, disciplines, generations, technologies, and communities intersect. It invites us to consider how museums can create meaningful spaces for dialogue and discovery while responding thoughtfully to the changing needs of the people and places we serve.

At SEMC2027, we will examine the opportunities and challenges that emerge at these intersections: how museums build and sustain relationships with their communities; how we navigate changing expectations and evolving technologies; how collaboration can strengthen our organizations; and how the convergence of different voices and experiences can shape more relevant, resilient, and connected museums.

As museum professionals from across the Southeast gather in Columbia, South Carolina, we invite our community to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore how museums can remain grounded in their missions while embracing the possibilities that come with change.

When cultures, communities, and ideas converge, new possibilities emerge.

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As part of SEMC’s 75th Anniversary, we are excited to continue Spark Sessions, an all-new presentation format debuting at SEMC2026.

Spark Sessions are rapid, focused, and back-to-back presentations by 4-6 presenters designed to spotlight bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and real-world lessons from across the museum field. This new format creates space for more voices, more innovation, and more meaningful dialogue.

Learn more about the format and get proposal ideas: What is a Spark Session?

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Before you begin, please review the 2027 SESSION PROPOSAL GUIDE for a quick overview of requirements and helpful tips.

First-time submitter or looking to strengthen your proposal? Check out our TIPS FOR SUCCESS!

Need some inspiration for a proposal idea? View the list of FREQUENTLY REQUESTED TOPICS generated by attendees of previous Annual Meetings.

Questions? Please contact Heather Nowak, SEMC Program Administrator at hnowak@semcdirect.net

SEMC2026 WORKSHOP: The Art & Practice of Object Labeling

SEMC2025 WORKSHOP: BASIC MOUNTING AND FRAMING TECHNIQUES ON A BUDGET

SEMC2025 SESSION: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 101

SEMC2024 Session: Mid Career Meetup. photo courtesy of Michael Lachowski

sEMC2024 Session: building your own table - black Leadership in museums