Program Overview

The Jekyll Island Management Institute (JIMI) is an immersive professional development experience for museum professionals seeking to broaden their understanding of museum operations in preparation for management and leadership roles.

Whether your background is in collections, exhibitions, education, visitor services, development, administration, or another area of museum practice, JIMI provides a comprehensive view of the people, functions, and decisions that work together to advance an institution's mission.

During the eight-day Institute, participants explore current best practices across both visitor-facing and behind-the-scenes museum operations. Through interactive sessions, case studies, collaborative discussions, and peer learning, participants examine how museums operate as complex, interconnected organizations while considering the critical roles of accessibility, audience engagement, technology, organizational culture, and inclusive practices throughout the institution.

Rather than preparing participants to become specialists in a single discipline, JIMI provides a systems-level understanding of museum management. Participants leave with a broader perspective of how departments work together, how institutional decisions affect every area of an organization, and how collaboration across functional areas strengthens museums as a whole. This institution-wide perspective equips participants to contribute more effectively within their current roles while preparing them for future management and leadership opportunities.

Villa Ospo in the Jekyll Island Historic District

The JIMI Experience

All sessions are held at Villa Ospo, located in the historic district of Jekyll Island, Georgia, providing an immersive environment where participants can step away from the demands of their daily work and focus on learning, reflection, and collaboration.

The curriculum is organized around the interconnected functions of a museum, allowing participants to examine the institution as a whole rather than through the lens of a single department. Throughout the week, faculty members use real-world case studies, facilitated discussions, collaborative exercises, and practical examples to explore the opportunities and challenges museums face today.

One of JIMI's greatest strengths is its cohort model. Participants learn not only from an accomplished faculty of museum professionals, but also from one another, drawing on the collective experience of colleagues representing a wide range of museums, disciplines, and career paths. The conversations that begin during JIMI often continue long after the Institute ends, creating a professional network that supports participants throughout their careers.

Target Learning Objectives

Through a series of practical application exercises, students will become familiar with current best practices in visitor facing and behind-the-scenes museum work while developing a network of museum professionals.

          

JIMI 2027 attendees will have opportunities to experience and learn from the rich historic resources, sites and tours on Jekyll Island

Past JIMI Instructors

JIMI Instructors provide subject area expertise and practical approaches to administrative challenges. 2027 instructors and session descriptions coming soon!

Adam Alfrey Assistant Director for Historical Services East Tennessee History Center JIMI 2025 Subject:  Facilities/Disaster Preparedness	Kristopher Allen   Senior Manager of School & Volunteer Programs   Michael C. Carlos Museum   JIMI 2025 Subject:   Visitor Services	Amy Bartow-Melia   Executive Director   South Carolina State Museum   JIMI 2025 Subjects:     Accreditation   Strategic Planning
Marcy Breffle Consultant Purpose Possible JIMI 2025 Subject:  Grants	Rebecca Bush   Curator of History & Exhibitions Manager   The Columbus Museum   JIMI 2025 Subject:    Curation	Dr. Nancy Strickland Chavis   Director and Curator   Museum of the Southeast American  Indian   JIMI 2025 Subject:    Working With Cultural Communities
Chris Cook Director of Education    Louisiana State Museum JIMI 2025 Subject: Education	Stefanie Green    Interim Operations Officer   Kennesaw State University   Museums, Archives, Rare  Books, & Libraries   JIMI 2025 Subjects:   Budgeting   Human Resources	Erica Hague   Collections Manager   Atlanta History Center   JIMI 2025 Subjects:    Collections Management   Registration
Shawn Halifax Museums & Historic Sites Consultant Fairfax County Park Authority JIMI 2025 Subject: Overview of the Changing Museum Field	Virginia Howell   Director   Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking   JIMI 2025 Subject   Public Programs	Felicia Ingram   Head of Interpretation   North Carolina Museum of Art   JIMI 2025 Subject:   Accessibility
Kevin Kane Software Developer North Carolina Museum of Art JIMI 2025 Subject:   General Technology	Dr. Ellen Lofaro   Director of Repatriation   University of Tennessee, Knoxville   JIMI 2025 Subject:   Working With Cultural Communities	David Paule   Principal & Managing Director   Our Fundraising Search   JIMI 2025 Subjects:    Fundraising/Individual Giving   Membership
Damon Reaves Head of Learning & Engagement National Gallery of Art JIMI 2025 Subject: Community Engagement	Ashley Rogers   Executive Director   Whitney Plantation   JIMI 2025 Subject:   Interpretation	Cierra Selby   Digital Marketing Consultant   JIMI 2025 Subject:   Digital Marketing
Melissa Tran Director of Learning Heinz History Center JIMI 2025 Subject: Education	Ahmad Ward   Executive Director   Historic Mitchellville Freedom Park   JIMI 2025 Subjects:   Board Management   Leadership	Julie Waters   Manager of Exhibit Planning   Florida Museum of Natural History   JIMI 2025 Subject:    Exhibition Development
Zinnia Willits Executive Director  Southeastern Museums Conference JIMI 2025 Facilitator

Who Should Attend?

JIMI is designed for museum professionals with at least five years of museum experience who are preparing to take on broader management responsibilities or who want to better understand how museums function as integrated organizations.

Participants have included professionals from:

• Art museums
• History museums
• Historic sites
• Science and children's museums
• University museums
• Botanical gardens
• Nature centers
• Tribal museums
• Libraries, archives, and other cultural organizations

Professionals from every functional area are encouraged to apply.

What You'll Gain

By participating in JIMI, you will:

• Develop a broader understanding of museum operations across all functional areas.
• Learn current best practices from experienced museum professionals.
• Explore real-world challenges through case studies and collaborative problem-solving.
• Gain practical knowledge that can be applied immediately within your institution.
• Build relationships with colleagues from museums across the country.
• Return to your organization with a stronger understanding of how departments work together to achieve institutional goals.

Why JIMI?

Museums succeed when their staff understand not only their own responsibilities, but also how every department contributes to fulfilling the institution's mission.

JIMI is intentionally designed to help participants see the "big picture." By fostering systems-level thinking, the Institute helps museum professionals become more effective collaborators, stronger managers, and better institutional decision-makers.

For more than two decades, JIMI has prepared hundreds of museum professionals to approach their work with greater confidence, broader perspective, and a deeper appreciation for the interconnected nature of museum practice.

Join Us on Jekyll Island

If you are ready to expand your understanding of museum management, learn from experienced professionals, and become part of a network of colleagues committed to strengthening museums, we invite you to apply for the Jekyll Island Management Institute.

Application/Selection Process

The JIMI2027 cohort will include up to 20 individuals selected via an application process. All applications will be reviewed by the JIMI2027 Selection Committee comprised of SEMC Council members and JIMI alums.

Sample JIMI Schedule

JIMI2027 Tuition

Tuition for the 8-day program is $1000 for SEMC members or members of another museum professional organization ($1100 for all others) and includes instruction and Institute resources. Some meals will be provided.

JIMI2027 Lodging/On-Island Transportation

Lodging at the oceanfront host hotel, the Hampton Inn & Suites, Jekyll Island, is available at the SEMC group rate of $155 +tax per night (depending on room type) and will be responsibility of each JIMI attendee. Large double rooms and suites are available to share. A daily full breakfast buffet (6:00AM-10:00AM) is included. A shuttle will be available to transport JIMI attendees between the Hampton Inn (south side of the Island) and Villa Ospo (session location in the Historic District - a five minute drive).

Hampton Inn and Suites, Jekyll Island, GA

All JIMI 2027 sessions will be held in the Jekyll Island Historic District 

Peter S. LaPaglia Scholarship 

Thanks to years of ongoing generosity of many friends and colleagues of the late Peter S. LaPaglia, co-founder of the Jekyll Island Management Institute, the Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) is pleased to offer two scholarships to cover 2027 program tuition. Click the link below to learn more and apply for a 2027 LaPaglia Scholarship. 

Learn More and Apply for a LaPaglia Scholarship

Additional JIMI Scholarships

Check with your state museum association as many offer additional scholarships to cover the cost of JIMI tuition. 

State Associations that have offered past JIMI Tuition Scholarships:

• Arkansas Museums Association offers a full tuition scholarship for one JIMI attendee from Arkansas. Visit the website for more information. 
• North Carolina Museums Council offers a full tuition scholarship for one JIMI attendee from North Carolina. Visit the website for more information. 

• Mississippi Museums Association offers a full tuition scholarship for one JIMI attendee from Mississippi who is also either an individual member or who's intuition is a member of MMA. Recipient will be asked to speak at MMA's annual meeting.
• South Carolina Federation of Museums offers a full tuition scholarship for one JIMI attendee from South Carolina. Visit the website for more information.

• Ewell G. “Buddy” Sturgis, Jr. Memorial Scholarship via the South Carolina Military Museum (further information forthcoming)

JIMI Sponsorship Opportunities

Consider supporting SEMC's successful Jekyll Island Management Institute (JIMI). This successful program has attracted applicants from all over the United States and its alumni have assumed key leadership positions in leading museums and organizations. Please contact Zinnia Willits for sponsorship information/opportunities at zwillits@semcdirect.net

SUPPORT THE PETER LAPAGLIA JIMI SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT FUND