the Application period for 2026 Session proposals is now open!

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 6, 2026: Session Proposals due 

• February 2026: Program Committee reviews and evaluates session proposals.

• March 12, 2026: Program Committee meets in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to select proposals for inclusion in the SEMC2026 program.

• By late March, 2026: SEMC Program Administrator sends notification of Program Committee decisions to all proposal submitters.

About the 2026 Conference 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.

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Before you begin, please review the 2026 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 the SEMC2025 Annual Meeting.

2026 Session Proposal Application

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

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