Awards

KMA Awards

Award purpose: Kansas Museums Association awards are used to recognize excellence, innovation, and distinguished service within the Kansas museum community.

Award categories:

  • Technology Award (project budget $10K and above) - Given to an institution that demonstrates a creative use of technology. Example projects: digitization, social media, online videos, exhibition features, mobile device applications, or interactive kiosks.
  • Technology Award (project budget $9,999 and below) - Given to an institution that demonstrates a creative use of technology. Example projects: digitization, social media, online videos, exhibition features, mobile device applications, or interactive kiosks.
  • Graphic Design Award (project budget $10K and above) - Given to an organization for superior graphic design. Nominee may be a museum or organization that produced graphic design in support of a museum project. Examples: posters, flyers, brochures, gallery guides, or banners.
  • Graphic Design Award (project budget $9,999 and below) - Given to an organization for superior graphic design. Nominee may be a museum or organization that produced graphic design in support of a museum project. Examples: posters, flyers, brochures, gallery guides, or banners.
  • Award of Excellence - Given to an institution whose project or achievements are worthy of special recognition. Example projects: exhibitions, films, programming, oral histories, community projects, or collections care. Example achievements: Increased attendance, enhanced public access, or community leadership.
  • Distinguished Service Award - Given to an individual whose achievements are worthy of special recognition. Eligible recipients include staff, volunteers, or advocates.

  • Volunteer Award - Given to a museum volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to an institution.

     

KMA Awards are now closed.  We anticipate reopening award applications in July 2026.

 

Application Information:

Eligibility: Nominees should be a KMA Individual Member or associated with a KMA Museum Member (formerly Institutional Member.)  Self-nomination is highly encouraged.  Project-based awards must have been completed in the last year.

Application information needed: 

  • Application (must be submitted electronically) 
  • Award of Excellence, Technology Award, or Graphic Design Award: Nominations may include photographs, news clippings, letters of recommendation or similar supporting material (see contact information below to send supporting material.)
  • Graphic Design Award: Nominations MUST include a sample of the work that is being nominated.
  • If nominating a physical publication: please send 5 copies of the publication or high-quality scans of each page for the Awards Committee reviewers. Scans can be emailed to the Awards Chair (Dropbox, One Drive, and Google Drive links are also encouraged for large files) or physical publications can be mailed to the following address:
    • Diana Staresinic-Deane
      Franklin County Historical Society
      PO Box 145
      Ottawa, KS 66067
  • Submitted materials become the property of KMA for limited display, promotion, and archive purposes, unless their return is requested and prepaid postage is provided.

Award requirements: The awardee or a representative of the winning institution will be asked to accept the award at the Awards Luncheon held the final day of the conference.

Contact: For questions about KMA Awards please contact Awards Chair Diana Staresinic-Deane via email or phone: (785) 242-1232.

 

Check out other inspiring projects that have won awards in the past several years on our spreadsheet below!

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