Save the Date! September 28-30, 2026                               

About Winston-Salem
Once a textile and tobacco town, modern-day Winston-Salem runs on research, art, academics, and technology. It’s home to six colleges, including Wake Forest University and the top-ranked University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and was the birthplace of Krispy Kreme donuts and Texas Pete hot sauce. “Winston,” as it’s known to locals, is beloved for its lush gardens and tree-lined streets, lively outdoor festivals, and rich Moravian culture.

About the 2026 Theme

Developed by the Winston-Salem Local Arrangements Committee, the 2026 theme, Forged in Culture – Focused on the Future celebrates the deep cultural and artistic roots that have shaped Winston-Salem and the Southeast, while also looking ahead to how museums and cultural institutions can evolve with purpose, creativity, and resilience.

This theme invites us to:

• Honor the cultural legacies that define our communities;

• Strengthen connections between art, history, and innovation; and

• Envision the future of museums as inclusive, adaptive spaces that lead with intention.

As we gather in Winston-Salem — a city where art, history, and industry have long intertwined — we will explore how collaboration, creativity, and cultural identity can forge a shared future for museums across the Southeast.