Fellowships and Financial Aid

 

Children’s museums are called to intentionally craft inclusive spaces where all feel seen, valued, and supported.  We celebrate and recognize the many professionals who work to uplift the unique communities in which they serve.

ACM is seeking five (5) individuals to award the Community in Action Fellowship. This fellowship includes complimentary registration to InterActivity 2026, a complimentary ticket to the evening event, along with a $500 travel stipend. In line with the theme of this year’s InterActivity, this award seeks to recognize individuals doing the work to create belonging in each of the unique and diverse communities that their children’s museum serves.

Sponsored by Lord Cultural Resources

The fellowship is open to museum professionals who meet the following criteria:

· Has demonstrated their contributions to create belonging in each of the unique and diverse communities that their children’s museum serves;
· Works for an open ACM-member museum in good standing (check MyACM to see if your museum’s dues are current);
· Has been employed at the museum full-time for six months prior to the date of application

Note: Past fellows and award recipients are eligible to apply for the Community in Action Fellowship, however preference may be given to those who have not received an award or fellowship in the past.

Financial aid recipients are required to:

· Attend the full InterActivity 2026 conference, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on April 21, through 4:00 p.m. on April 23;
· Serve on the panel to review applications and select awardees for InterActivity 2027;
· Have the support of their museum for travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

The application for the 2025 awards opens October 31, 2025.

In order to apply, please be prepared to respond to the following questions:

Describe the work you do and how it fosters belonging in your community. Limit 250 words
Please share how your work can be applied to the rest of the museum field. Limit 250 words
What are your professional goals? How will this award help you achieve them? Limit 500 words
How will you expand upon what you learn at InterActivity with your museum/community? Limit 350 words

InterActivity 2026 Community in Action Fellowship recipients will be recognized in the InterActivity 2026 Final Program and onsite at the conference during a Plenary Session.

Contact Kristin DeNovellis, Associate Director, Museum Member Services at kristin.denovellis@childrensmuseums.org.