About Us

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Museums Alaska is to maintain an association of Alaska's museum professionals and volunteers in order to provide opportunities for improvement of museum and culture center services in Alaska and to enhance public understanding of the purposes and functions of Alaska's museums and culture centers.

Non-profit Articles of Incorporation
Museums Alaska By-Laws

Our Purpose

To accomplish its organizational purpose, Museums Alaska maintains a central office to receive and disburse information about museums, cultural centers and their activities, and to collect and share professional opportunities. Museums Alaska publishes the quarterly newsletter, Network, and organizes an annual meeting and conference to focus on the needs of Alaska museum professionals, volunteers, and their institutions.

Our Beginnings

Museums Alaska began in the late 1970's as a committee of the Alaska Historical Society. The growth of the museum community led to the separate organization that incorporated in 1983.

A brief history of Museums Alaska.

By 1987 Museums Alaska had expanded its membership, hired a part-time executive director to provide membership services, and began publishing a quarterly newsletter.

Our Membership

More than 60 cultural institutions are represented in Museums Alaska with members as far north as Barrow and as far south as Ketchikan. The organization serves museums as remote as Anaktuvuk Pass Cultural Center, and as urban as the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. Membership is open to all individuals and institutions concerned about Alaska's cultural heritage.

Our Conferences

Meetings of the general membership are held annually in an Alaska community. The annual conference provides a forum for discussion of museum issues, an opportunity to network and connect with peers, and a celebration to recognize outstanding professional contributions.

Our Newsletter

The Museums Alaska quarterly newsletter Network, connects this far-flung organization. Each Network contains information about Alaska's museums, including exhibit and program ideas, conservation techniques, administrative issues, advocacy, statewide news, and training opportunities. Network informs the public's understanding of the purposes and functions of Alaska's museums and cultural centers.

Our Board

Museums Alaska is an association of active volunteers who perform many of the responsibilities of the organization. The all-volunteer governing Board consists of nine directors elected by the statewide membership at the annual meeting. Directors serve for three years with one-third of the Board elected each year. The four officers of the organization are President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.