Student Poster Competition

The Virginia Association of Museums recognizes the future of the museum profession is in the hands of current college and university students. We hope this opportunity will help further our student members' careers and offer stronger connections for emerging professionals.

Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as those new to the museum field (within the last three years), are invited to apply to participate in the Virginia Association of Museums' Student Poster Competition during the 2025 Annual Conference taking place in Blacksburg, VA on March 15-18. The student poster competition showcases presentations on the latest museum-based student projects and research and offers a way for students to connect with experienced museum professionals and other students to gain new insights, share ideas, and network. Those selected will receive a scholarship to attend the conference.

Eligibility:

Undergraduate, graduate students, recent graduates and those new to the field within the last three years who have done significant or promising work on museum-based projects or research and are based in any region of Virginia or Washington, D.C.

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Guidelines:

  • Please submit proposals and resume by 5:00 pm on November 29 (the deadline has been extended).
  • A review panel will select presentations based on individual merit and relevance, and invite selected students to present their posters at the 2025 VAM conference in Blacksburg, VA. 
  • Students will be contacted by late December if their submission has been selected.
  • Selected students need to submit PDF of final poster by Friday March 7, 2025 to membership@vamuseums.org.
  • The poster should be 24" x 36". 
  • Select students will be required to present their final projects or research in person on Sunday March 16, 2025 at the VAM conference in Blacksburg, VA.
  • A panel of judges will assess the posters and presentations for a financial prize for first place ($300), second place ($200), and third place ($100).
  • Selected presenters will be awarded a scholarship to cover conference registration and a $100 stipend to reimburse the cost of posters. All travel, lodging expenses, and event tickets will be the responsibility of the presenters.

For questions, please contact us at membership@vamuseums.org.