Join our team at the upcoming Western Museums Association 2026 Annual Meeting, in partnership with the Utah Museums Association.

Principal and Global Cultural+Performing Arts Leader Dan Clevenger, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, will moderate a session titled “Collecting Engagement: The Role of Collecting Institutions in Sharing Knowledge.” Panelists include Ariel Hammond, director of research library & archives at the San Diego Natural History Museum, Tim Lee, director of exhibits at the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Jennifer Ortiz, director at the Utah Historical Society.

Together, the panel will explore how museums use active collecting practices to shape exhibitions, education, and community engagement. Attendees will hear from leaders in curation, exhibitions, and museum administration as they share behind-the-scenes perspectives on how collections foster authenticity, inspire curiosity, and evolve alongside new scientific and cultural discoveries.

The conversation will also examine transparency, community participation, and how collecting institutions create meaningful connections with visitors while strengthening stewardship and local relevance.

The panel discussion will be held on the third day of the conference, Friday, September 25, from 9:00 – 10:15 AM.