KMA Conference Scholarships

Scholarship Purpose 

The Kansas Museums Association is committed to being the primary provider of professional development education and networking opportunities for Kansas museums, and we hold an annual conference to help fulfill these goals.  The KMA Board and staff recognize that students, emerging professionals, volunteers, board members, and others might not have access to professional development funds, and we have pledged to help by providing scholarships to attend the annual KMA Conference.

 

Scholarship amount: Scholarships will cover conference registration only, but do NOT include pre-conference workshops or tours.  Travel stipends will NOT be available.  

KMA will offer a total of 8 registration scholarships this year: 

-5 registration scholarships to the general membership

-1 to a member of the Southeast Region

-1 to a member of the Northwest Region

-1 to an individual in the Great Bend area. 

 

KMA Conference Scholarship applications are available for current members only.  See below for more about eligibility.  Log in to the members-only section via the button below or search your email for "BREAKING Muse News: KMA 2025 Conference Registration + KMA Conference Scholarships are NOW OPEN for Members!" for the application link.

 

Applications for a 2025 KMA Conference Scholarship are now CLOSED.  Awardees will be notified by the Scholarship Committee after they have met to evaluate submissions.

We anticipate opening 2026 Conference Scholarship applications in August 2026.

 

Application Information

Eligibility: 

  • Current Individual Members (which includes Individuals, Students, Volunteers and Retirees) can apply for scholarships to attend the KMA Conference. 
  • Current Museum Members (Levels 1 – 4): Individuals who were listed and received the Individual Memberships as part of their Museum’s Membership can apply for scholarships to attend the KMA Conference. For staff or volunteers of Museum Members who did not receive Individual Memberships, an Individual Membership can be added under the Museum’s Membership for $25 so they can apply for scholarships to attend the KMA Conference.  Only one scholarship per organization will be awarded.
  • Current Business Patrons: Exhibitors/Business Members are not eligible for conference scholarships. 
  • Not a current member?  Join or renew your KMA membership here to gain access. 

Expenses: Scholarship applicants are encouraged to register during the Early Bird registration period in August if possible. If you are awarded a scholarship and have already registered, you will be issued a refund.

Application information needed:

Application (must be submitted electronically)

 

Scholarship Requirements 

Scholarship recipients:

  • Are often asked to help display items during KMA’s Annual Dinner and Live Auction on the evening of the first full conference day.
  • Are recognized at the Awards Luncheon on the final day of the conference.

  • Are required to write a short (300-500 word) article about their conference experience to share in the KMA newsletter. These articles are due by November 30 at 5:00 pm and can be sent directly to the Assistant Director (choose question topic "general" in the dropdown.)  Recipients are asked to provide a photo of themselves (a snapshot is fine) which may be included in the newsletter, encouraging members to connect faces and names. 

     

Contact: For questions about the KMA Conference Scholarship please contact the Scholarship Chair Dawn Munger who will serve as the facilitator via email or phone: 785-565-6490.