Museums Make New York: The State of Culture
MANY 2026 Annual Conference

May 7–9 2026
New York State Museum | Albany, NY

Bold. Civic. Proud. The MANY Annual Conference is the primary statewide gathering of museum leaders, cultural organizations, and public agencies across New York's museum sector.

Museums don't just belong to New York. They make New York what it is.

This year's convening, Museums Make New York: The State of Culture, recognizes museums as essential to the state’s economic strength, civic life, and cultural identity.

From remote "forever wild" communities to the urban heart of the megacity, from the Great Lakes to the Long Island Sound, museums shape how New York understands itself and how it is experienced by the world. The 2026 conference centers museums as engines of social, economic, and cultural impact—advancing education, creativity, and equity; fostering community representation, accessibility, and civic pride; strengthening local economies; and contributing to New York's identity locally and globally.

In light of fundamental changes to the public funding landscape—and to capitalize on relationships with state and elected officials—the 2026 Conference is in Albany. Convening at the New York State Museum on the Empire State Plaza, at the doorstep of state government, there is opportunity to engage directly with the policies, funding structures, and leadership decisions shaping the field.

Why Gather? Why New York State? Why Now?

Strong museums depend on strong professional communities. Museums do their most important work locally and in networks of expertise, but the strength of the field as independent public-serving organizations depends on relationships and knowledge sharing across institutions and across silos of scholarship. At a moment when cultural policy, funding structures, and public expectations are rapidly evolving, those connections matter more than ever.

New York is home to one of the most expansive and diverse museum ecosystems in the world—from internationally recognized institutions to small community heritage organizations. Together, these museums represent one of the deepest concentrations of curatorial, scholarly, and public humanities expertise anywhere in the world. Bringing museum leaders together across regions, disciplines, and institution types ensures that New York’s museums continue to learn from one another, collaborate across communities, and lead national conversations about the role of museums in civic life.

The 2026 program combines field-wide conversations, research presentations, and peer-led sessions. In 30 breakouts, more than 70 museum professionals, cultural leaders, and policy experts will share their expertise through plenary conversations, workshops, and presentations throughout the conference. Presenters represent museums, universities, cultural organizations, and public agencies from across every region of New York State.

Full schedules, session details, partner events, and additional resources will be available through the Museums Make New York conference app following registration (app to Launch April 2026).

Schedule

Plenary Sessions

Plenary sessions will bring together leaders from across New York’s museum and cultural policy landscape for presentations to all conference attendees. Presentations are designed to provide shared context for the field, bringing together leaders in cultural policy, nonprofit governance, tourism, philanthropy, and community leadership. Together, these conversations frame the challenges and opportunities facing museums across New York State. 

From Fragmentation To Coordination:Rethinking Cultural Governance Across Contexts

Gonzalo Casals and Mauricio Delfin —Culture & Arts Policy Institute

Breakout Sessions

Building on the plenary framework, the conference includes a further 30 breakout sessions led by more than 70 museum professionals, cultural leaders, and partners from across New York State. Content spans urgent and practical topics—from fundraising and capital projects to public programming, marketing, and navigating complex civic and cultural conversation. 

Museums & Partners Presenting

The MANY 2026 Conference brings together leaders from museums, historic sites, universities, cultural organizations, public agencies, and creative partners across New York State. By convening voices from across regions, disciplines, and organizational sizes, the conference highlights the collaborative network that makes up New York’s cultural infrastructure. Colleagues from more than 60 organizations will lead sessions. Presenters and participants represent museums, universities, schools, and public agencies from across New York State, including: 

Albany Institute of History & Art • Antique Boat Museum • Arts Equity Group • Boscobel House and Gardens • Buffalo AKG Art Museum • Buffalo Institute of Contemporary Art • The Buffalo History Museum • City College of New York (CUNY) • Culture & Arts Policy Institute • Culture@3 • Discover Albany • D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area / Hudson River Valley Greenway • Documentary Heritage and Preservation Services for New York • Empire State Development • Erie Canal Museum • Fenimore Art Museum • Fenimore Farm & Country Village • First Amendment Culture Team (F.A.C.T.) • Fulton County Historical Society • Greater Hudson Heritage Network • Hanford Mills Museum • Historic Cherry Hill • Historic House Trust of New York City • Ithaca Sciencenter • King Manor Museum • Long Island Children’s Museum • Long Island Museum • Memorial Art Gallery, University of Rochester • Morris-Jumel Mansion •  Museum Hue •  Museum at Bethel Woods • National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House • New York Council of Nonprofits • New York Folklore Society • New York Hall of Science • New York Library Association • New York State Broadcasters Association • New York State Council on the Arts • New York State Department of Labor • New York State Division of Tourism • New York State Museum • New York State Tourism Industry Association • NYS Alliance for Arts Education • Onondaga Historical Association • Preservation League of NYS • Public Employees Federation • Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation • Richardson Olmsted Campus  • Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, SUNY New Paltz • Saranac Laboratory Museum • Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site • Seward House Museum • Shaker Heritage Society • Syracuse University Museum Studies Program • Three Village Historical Society • University at Buffalo Art Galleries

Gathering the Field

Alongside formal sessions, the conference offers opportunities for conversation and connection with colleagues across New York’s museum community. These moments—both structured and informal—create space for relationships, collaboration, and shared learning across institutions.

Events include:

A welcome reception at the Corning Tower Observation Deck overlooking Albany and the Hudson Valley. Set on the 42nd floor of the Corning Tower on the Empire State Plaza—the tallest building in New York State outside of New York City—the evening offers sweeping views of Albany, the Hudson River, and the Capital Region.

Conference attendees, partners, and supporters are warmly invited to join. Full bar and passed hors d'oeuvres will be served.

Your attendance supports non-profit museums in every county of New York State and the professional development of their staffs. Capacity is limited; a $75 ticket is required for all.

A Friday evening gathering at the New York State Museum, bringing attendees together for a more informal night of connection, celebration, and recognition.Set alongside the museum's iconic (and operating) historic carousel, the evening offers a chance to gather with colleagues, reflect on our collective work, and celebrate. Beer and wine will be served, alongside casual fare.

Local Museums, Capital Region

Conference attendees are warmly welcomed to explore museums and cultural sites in and around Albany.

New York State Museum • Albany Institute of History & Art • New York State Capitol • Empire State Plaza Art Collection • The Egg • Sanctuary for Independent Media • Arts Center of the Capital Region • Hart Cluett Museum • Irish American Heritage Museum • Underground Railroad Education Center • Ten Broeck Mansion • USS Slater • Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site • Albany Center Gallery • University at Albany Art Museum • Historic Cherry Hill • Shaker Heritage Society • Albany Pine Bush Preserve • Albany Firefighters Museum • Opalka Gallery