Save the Date: Building Museums™ Symposium Returns to Los Angeles March 17–19, 2027

March 17–19, 2027 | Historic Biltmore Los Angeles

The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) is excited to announce that the Building Museums™ Symposium 2027 will take place March 17–19, 2027, at the Historic Biltmore Los Angeles.

For more than three decades, Building Museums has been the leading national conference dedicated to museum planning, design, construction, renovation, expansion, and capital projects. The symposium brings together museum professionals and the experts who help shape museum facilities, creating an unmatched opportunity to learn from real projects, share best practices, and build connections across the field.

Whether your institution is planning its first renovation, designing a new facility, expanding an existing campus, or completing a major capital project, Building Museums offers practical strategies and inspiring case studies from professionals who have been there.

Call for Proposals Now Open

MAAM invites museum professionals, architects, planners, engineers, owners’ representatives, exhibit designers, and project partners to submit proposals to present at the Building Museums Symposium 2027.

We are seeking engaging sessions that provide practical insights, lessons learned, innovative approaches, and collaborative perspectives on museum building and capital projects.

Proposal Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET

The Building Museums Program Committee—composed of representatives from the MAAM Board of Directors, industry partners, MAAM members, and Planning Committee volunteers—will review proposals during October and November 2026. Selected presenters will be notified by November 2026.

To ensure a well-rounded conference program, the Program Committee reserves the right to recommend modifications to accepted sessions. Learn more about the Call for Proposals.

Submit a Buildy Award Nomination

Do you know an exceptional museum building project that deserves national recognition?

The Buildy Award honors outstanding museum construction, renovation, expansion, and adaptive reuse projects that demonstrate excellence in serving visitors and communities. The award celebrates the innovation, collaboration, and vision behind successful museum capital projects while increasing awareness of the importance of investing in museums and cultural institutions.

Buildy Award Eligibility

Eligible projects must:

• Have been substantially completed between 2020 and 2025
• Have been open or reopened to the public for at least one year before the nomination deadline
• Be submitted by Monday, November 9, 2026

Eligible facilities include:

• Museums
• Zoos
• Aquaria
• Public gardens
• Visitor centers serving public sites

Projects from across the United States and around the world are encouraged to apply. Nominations are not limited to the Mid-Atlantic region.

New construction, renovations, additions, and combined projects are all eligible. Selection is based on overall impact and quality rather than project size or budget. Projects that were previously nominated but not selected may be resubmitted with an updated nomination if they meet the eligibility requirements. Learn more.

Registration Opens This Fall

Registration for the Building Museums Symposium 2027 opens this fall.

Building Museums consistently reaches capacity, and recent symposiums have sold out well in advance of the event. We encourage you to save the date now and register as soon as registration opens to secure your place.

Why Attend Building Museums?

Building Museums is the nation’s premier conference for professionals involved in museum facilities and capital projects. Attendees include:

• Museum directors and executive leaders
• Facilities and operations professionals
• Architects and engineers
• Project managers and owners’ representatives
• Exhibit designers and planners
• Fundraising and development professionals
• Board members and trustees
• Industry partners and consultants

Participants leave with practical solutions, valuable peer connections, and new ideas to help guide successful museum building projects from vision through completion.

Save the date: March 17–19, 2027
Location: Historic Biltmore Los Angeles

We look forward to welcoming the museum community to Los Angeles for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration at the nation’s premier symposium on museum building and capital projects.