About the Symposium

What?

The symposium is organized under three inter-related themes: Vision, Implementation, and Sustainability (or Life after Opening) . The content of each day will reflect these themes across a broad range of museum sizes and scales, budgets, scope of building projects, disciplines, and collecting vs. non-collecting institutions.

Who?

This symposium is for architects, museum leaders, planners, project managers, technical experts, and all those who plan or implement new construction, renovation, or expansion projects for museums. Whether your institution is a small historic site under renovation, a mid-sized art museum planning an expansion, or a large children’s museum building a new facility, this symposium is for you.

Building Museums™ is an annual international symposium created, produced and managed by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums [MAAM] but is open to everyone with an interest in this important topic.

Why?

Attending the symposium will provide you the opportunity to:

• Better understand the process of planning, implementing, and surviving new construction, renovation, or expansion projects
• Examine case studies, current trends, topical issues, and specific projects related to building projects across a broad range of museum sizes and scales, budgets, scope of building projects, diversity of disciplines, and collecting vs. non-collections-holding institutions
• Actively discuss museum building projects with other museum professionals, architects, planners, project managers, and technical experts to better inform the process of building
• Access resources for architectural firms, consultants, museum projects, and museum leaders

Call for Proposals

Call for Awards

The Buildy Award recognizes outstanding museum-related construction projects completed between 2020 and 2025 and open to the public for at least one year before the November 9, 2026 deadline. Eligible projects include new construction, additions, and renovations at museums, zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and visitor centers, with impact and quality valued over size or budget. Projects may be located nationally or internationally, and previously submitted projects may be resubmitted. Nomination deadline is Monday, November 9, 2026, by 11:59 pm ET. Learn more about the Call for Awards.