Southeastern Museums Conference-SEMC

SEMC 2026: Diggs Gallery/Delta Arts Center Tour

Enjoy a two-stop cultural experience highlighting Winston-Salem’s vibrant arts community. Participants will travel by bus to Diggs Gallery on the campus of Winston-Salem State University and then across East Winston to Delta Arts Center.

Guests will hear a brief introduction to the longstanding connection between these two historic institutions. At Delta Arts Center, participants will experience PARTED, curated by Davita Galloway and Nadia Meadows. This immersive, multisensory exhibition honors the art, history, and evolution of Black hair—from the intricacy of cornrows to the symbolism of the afro, from hot combs to lace fronts—exploring how Black hair tells stories of identity, innovation, resistance, and beauty.

Pre-registration is required.

Apply to be an instructor for the 2027 Jekyll Island Management Institute!

As SEMC celebrates its 75th anniversary, we invite individuals to help shape the next generation of museum professionals by leading sessions at this flagship program.

The unifying theme for 2027 is storytelling. Instructors are encouraged to consider how storytelling intersects with their area of expertise and how it can strengthen communication, inform decision-making, and deepen institutional impact across museum functions.

We seek museum and museum-adjacent professionals with strong teaching and facilitation skills to lead 90-minute, highly interactive sessions.

For more information visit our website, https://www.semcdirect.net/jimi

Today, we honor and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.

On this Memorial Day, the Southeastern Museums Conference reflects with gratitude on their sacrifice and the enduring importance of preserving and sharing the stories of service, history, and community that connect us all.

Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day.

SEMC 2026 - Winston-Salem Spotlight: Happy Hill Neighborhood

Nestled just south of downtown Winston-Salem, Happy Hill is one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant African American neighborhoods. Established in the years following the Civil War, the community grew from land once tied to the Moravian settlement of Salem and became a place where formerly enslaved people built homes, churches, schools, and a strong sense of community.

Originally known as Liberia, the neighborhood became known as Happy Hill by the late 19th century. Residents worked throughout Winston-Salem while creating a vibrant cultural and social life of their own “across the creek” from Salem. Despite decades of segregation, urban renewal, and the demolition of many original homes during the construction of the city’s first public housing project in the 1950s, Happy Hill’s legacy has endured.

Today, Happy Hill is recognized not only for its deep historical roots, but also for ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate its story through art, restoration projects, and community initiatives. Historic shotgun houses, cultural programs, and neighborhood-led revitalization efforts continue to honor the resilience and contributions of generations of residents who shaped this important Winston-Salem community.

Read more:

Photos: A look back at Happy Hill neighborhood Click here to view this item from journalnow.com.

Check out the SEMC 2026 conference schedule!

Start building your conference schedule, with something for everyone, you don’t want to miss this special 75th anniversary annual meeting!

https://site.pheedloop.com/event/SEMC2026/schedule?date=2026-09-28

Let’s celebrate some wins!

What’s one project you’ve worked on this year that you’re proud of?

Submit your project in the SEMC Competitions!

Deadline: June 12, 2026

For more information visit our website, https://www.semcdirect.net/competitions

SEMC scholarships help make attending the conference accessible to all.

Don’t miss the June 12th deadline to apply for one of the SEMC scholarships!
https://www.semcdirect.net/awards

Save the Date!

One of our favorite nights of the year is back-- the SEMC Mix & Mingle! Join us in Atlanta for an evening of connection, conversation, and community with museum professionals from across the area.

Whether you’re a longtime SEMC member or just curious about getting involved, everyone is welcome. Come meet new colleagues, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a fun night surrounded by art and great company.

June 25 | Oglethorpe Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA | 6–8 pm

Let us know you're attending by signing up at: https://bit.ly/4doMNwM
We can’t wait to see you there!

Start your job search with us and find your happily ever after!

Recognition matters.

Not just for big moments, but for the everyday work that keeps our field moving forward.

Take a few minutes to nominate a colleague for an SEMC award.

Nominations for the SEMC 2026 Awards will be accepted through June 30th, 2026.

Visit our website for all the details, https://www.semcdirect.net/awards

Looking for real-life career advice about the museum field?

Join the discussion on the realities of working in the field.

This program is FREE for all to attend, https://www.semcdirect.net/event-6658180