Excellence in Design

This award acknowledges extraordinary achievement in design in three categories: Publications/Graphics, Media/Marketing, and Exhibition Design.

Publications & Graphics –Recognizes excellence in the graphic design of a museum publication. Award winners are selected for overall design concept, creativity, accessibility, and how the museum branding and mission are communicated. Nominations may include online or digital publications such as annual reports, exhibition catalogues, museum guides/brochures, school program materials, books, etc.

Media & Marketing –Applauds an imaginative and original print or digital marketing campaign in either earned or paid media. Award winners are selected for overall creative strategy, accessibility, innovative implementation, and cohesiveness across multiple communication channels. Nominations may include social media campaigns, print ads, digital ads, annual appeal or capital campaigns, event or program promotions, etc.

Exhibition –Honors a physical or digital exhibition produced by a cultural organization that articulates content through engaging design and creates a rewarding and memorable experience. Nominations may include exhibitions whose theme is expressed in unusual ways, installs collection items in creative or unconventional ways, or uses a fresh or experimental approach to accessible design.

Engaging Communities

These awards celebrate organizations that use exceptional and resourceful methods to engage their communities and build new audiences. Nominated projects can include innovative preservation or digital technology to increase public access to museum collections or programs that broaden community partnerships. Nominations may include collections interpretation, exhibitions, lecture series, educational or public programs, civic engagement, focus groups, strategic planning, or other community connection efforts. Awards are made based on the size of an organization’s operating budget.

Budget Categories

• Volunteer – $99,999
• $100,000 – $250,000
• $251,000 – $499,999
• $500,000 – $999,999
• $1,000,000 – 4,999,999
• Over $5M

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The Long Island Museum "SOMOS/WE ARE: Latinx Artists of Long Island

2024 Award of Distinction Engagement Communities

Rising Star and Scholarship

Given in honor of Erika Sanger, the Rising Star Award and Annual Conference scholarship will celebrate a museum professional working fulltime in a museum who has five years or less professional experience in a museum or a related field. Awarded to a museum professional who displays creative thinking, inspires institutional change, demonstrates innovation, professionalism, and leadership.

The Rising Star award recipient will receive complimentary conference registration, one workshop or special event registration, two nights at the conference hotel, up to $400 in travel reimbursement, and one year MANY Individual Membership.

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The Strong National Museum of Play "The Strong Neighborhood of Play"

2024 Award of Distinction Special Achievement