Fellowships and Financial Aid

 

ACM’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access means that every decision made by the organization amplifies our work of inclusivity and gives priority to historically underrepresented voices. The InterActivity Diversity in Action (DIA) Fellowship aligns with this intentional focus to recognize and include diversity in the children’s museum field at our annual conference, InterActivity.

The DIA Fellowship provides museum staff from underrepresented groups with complimentary registration to InterActivity 2025, a complimentary ticket to the evening event at Explora, networking opportunities at the conference, and access to a private community for awardees on the ACM Groupsite.

Sponsored by Lord Cultural Resources

DIA Fellowship Application

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

· Self-identified with one or more minority groups (e.g., racial/ethnic, person with a disability, LGBTQIA+);
· 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: 2024 Fellowship recipients may apply for an InterActivity 2025 Fellowship.

Financial aid recipients are required to:

· Attend the full InterActivity 2025 conference, beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, through 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 16;
· Serve on the panel to review applications and select awardees for InterActivity 2026;
· Have the support of their museum for travel, lodging, and meal expenses.

All applications must be submitted via myACM by January 16, 2025. Each application requires a completed application form: DIA Fellowship Application Form.

Supplemental materials include:

· Signed Statement of Understanding, including CEO and supervisor signatures, stating the museum will cover the applicant’s travel, lodging, and meal expenses outside the awarded coverage.

· A Letter of Recommendation from the Museum CEO/Executive Director.

There is no limit to the number of applications that a single museum may submit, however, only one individual at a museum will be awarded.

If an applicant does not receive an award, they will be still able to register for InterActivity 2025 at the Early Bird registration rate whether they register by the Early Bird deadline (January 27) or later.

InterActivity 2025 Diversity in Action Fellowship recipients will be recognized in the InterActivity 2025 Final Program and onsite at the conference during a Plenary Session.

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