In the late fall of 1968, several members of the museum community in Kansas convened an informal meeting to discuss the possibilities of organizing a state museum association. This group sent a formal invitation to museum staff and volunteers across the state, asking if they were interested in supporting an association for Kansas museums and proposing an organizational meeting in the spring of 1969.
The response was favorable, and on March 6, 1969, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library hosted the meeting to discuss the establishment of a Kansas Museums Association (KMA). The organization was incorporated that year as a not-for-profit with goals to, “create, foster, and promote interest in, advancement of, and appreciation for museums in Kansas,” and to, “increase and disseminate knowledge about the museum field and encourag[e] cooperation among museums and those interested in them.” During its first year of existence, KMA boasted 62 individual members, 44 institutional members, and four contributing members.
The first annual meeting was held on April 17, 1969 and hosted by the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library. At this meeting, Dr. John E. Wickman, Director of the Eisenhower Presidential Library, spoke on the preservation and exhibition of manuscript materials. Dr. John D. Redjinkski of the Menninger Foundation, and Mr. James D. Marlar of the Kansas State Historical Society presented a slide show on museum exhibit techniques.
Since then, the Kansas Museums Association has continued to grow and change to meet the needs of Kansas museums, their staff, and volunteers. In 2001 we transitioned from an all-volunteer organization by hiring our first part-time employee to process memberships and edit the newsletter. This position grew into a Coordinator and eventually a Director role in 2006, and over time responsibility for strategic planning and creating partnerships with other organizations was added to annual conference duties. 2014 KMA hired an additional employee, a part-time Assistant Director, to help with communications and the annual conference. In 2017, KMA entered into an agreement with the Wichita State University Public Policy and Management Center to take on the functions of an Executive Director for the organization and to oversee conference management.
On the strength of our dedicated board of directors and members, KMA has completed strategic goal planning which has allowed the organization to thrive. KMA has made strides toward long-term financial sustainability with the establishment of an endowment and has worked hard to gain and retain members. KMA recognizes individuals and institutions across the state with awards, grants, and scholarships to both KMA’s annual conference and to other types of professional development. KMA has continued to host high-quality annual conferences with engaging speakers and sessions, communicated vital information about new resources, grants, and trends, and developed a member listserv to allow for knowledge sharing and networking. KMA has worked with partner organizations across the state, region, and nation to promote the cultural and economic significance of museums, and has advocated for funding for museums at the federal level.
The Kansas Museums Association celebrated our 50th anniversary in 2019 at our annual conference in McPherson and Lindsborg, and KMA is continuing to strive for excellence and charting a course of leadership for the next 50 years – we invite you to join us!
