M10 Pathways
Pathways leadership training program for Museums10 staff
Pathways is a curated leadership program for Museums10 staff.
Following a successful Pilot and Summer Cohort, we have revised Pathways to be fully customizable and fit your busy schedule.
Applications are due Aug. 20 for Fall 2026 (Sep. ‘26 - Jan. ‘27).
Questions? Want help with your application?
About Pathways
Choose to participate in either:
- Fall Session: September 2026 - January 2027
- Spring Session: January - May 2027
Choose one - three experiences:
- Participate in a mentorship coffee meeting as a mentee or mentor.
- Join a peer cohort for one one-hour Zoom meeting each month for four months.
- Attend a Museums10 Workforce Development training.
- Attend an outside training or conference and apply for funding.
- Propose and lead a project.
- Subject to interest and availability.
Required for all participants:
- Attend a Zoom orientation.
- Complete a brief midpoint and final survey.
- Share your learning with the M10 community. Choose to share in person, online, or in writing. For example, offer a short presentation, poster session, discussion, workshop, written reflection, or resource list.
Eligibility: Individual museums have specific eligibility requirements. Are you unsure of your museum's requirements? Contact your supervisor or your museum's M10 Workforce Development Point Person for more information.
Application: Submit an application by August 20th for the Fall Session and by December 14 for the Spring Session.
What Participants Are Saying
I highly recommend this program for any M10 staff member who is looking to engage in new research, develop a new skill, or take a project to the next stage. Pathways was an incredibly positive experience for me. I built strong relationships with my group in a way that would not have been possible without this program. The program gave me the structure to focus on and develop a new project. By reserving a few hours a week, I was able to make significant progress towards completing a new initiative at our museum. I now have a strong presentation I can share with others as we bring the initiative to our campus.
- Amanda Herman, Associate Director, UMCA
I found Pathways to be an invaluable resource for my own self growth. I was able to carve time for projects I had been thinking about deeply but didn't yet know how to approach. I was provided with a wealth of support that made my project more achievable. It can't be overstated how lucky that felt. I also enjoyed being able to connect with colleagues in M10. Hearing and learning from people working in other institutions was such a highlight and made me feel more connected.
- Mel Arthur, Education Assistant, Mead Art Museum
Examples of past Pathways experiences and projects:
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Sylvia Peterson, Associate Director of Education Administration at the Yiddish Book Center, attended trainings and met with accessibility mentors to support her leadership of YBC's internal inclusion committee. Peterson presented a draft Roadmap for Accessibility and Inclusion at the Yiddish Book Center.
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Maria Bodansky, Museum Educator at Historic Deerfield, visited regional museums and attended trainings to support the Education Department's planning for updates of Historic Deerfield’s Discovery Center.
- Other projects and experiences include developing staff onboarding training, researching and piloting strategies for workload management, researching development practices across M10 museums, creating exhibition and collections plans.
Application
Apply for Pathways!
Apply by August 20th for the Fall session (September 2026 – January 2027).
Apply by December 14th for the Spring session (January – May 2027).
FAQ
Each Museums10 museum has specific eligibility requirements. Ask your supervisor if you are eligible to participate. You can also contact your museum's Workforce Development Point Person with questions.
Terre Parker, Museums10 Workforce Development Associate Project Director and an ad hoc committee from the M10 Workforce Development Committee will review your application.
Your supervisor must approve your application and Museum Directors will review the final list of Pathways applicants.
Ask your supervisor if you are eligible to participate. We suggest you schedule a meeting with your supervisor to consider how Pathways would advance your career and how it would fit with your work schedule.
Questions? Book a consultation with Terre Parker.
Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are due Thursday, August 20th. Applications for the Spring 2027 cohort are due Monday, December 14th.
Training must be completed within the time frame of your selected Pathway (Fall Session - September 2026 - January 2027, Spring Session - January - May 2027).
Any training from the M10 Professional Development Menu can be included in your Pathways curriculum.
You may also attend an outside opportunity such as a professional association conference, symposium or other professional training, or other similar opportunities that strengthen M10's collective base of knowledge. See below for information on potential funding.
Contact Terre Parker with questions.
Terre Parker will facilitate the Zoom Pathways Orientation, provide materials to guide Pathways participants in their chosen experiences, and advise participants through bi-monthly zoom advising hours.
Participants may choose one to three Pathways experiences:
Mentor and mentees will be matched by Terre Parker and the M10 Workforce Development Committee. Mentees are responsible for scheduling the mentorship coffee meeting following an email of introduction.
Peer cohorts will meet independently and rotate facilitation among the group. Meeting agendas and Zoom links will be provided.
Trainings offered through the M10 Professional Development Menu will be led by the facilitator noted on the menu.
Outside trainings and conferences will be led by the facilitator(s) for that event.
Proposed projects will be led by the Pathways participant and approved by the participant's supervisor along with their application. Participants are encouraged to actively collaborate with a supervisor or colleague(s) at your institution. A Pathways peer cohort can also provide reflection, troubleshooting, and support. Terre Parker is available during zoom advising hours and by appointment.
Museums10 staff are encouraged to apply for funding for individual professional development occurring no later than June 2027.
Funds may be used to:
- Attend or present at a conference.
- Attend an in person or online training.
- Purchase an individual professional association membership for online training access.
- Undertake professional development activities that strengthen M10's collective base of knowledge.
Individual museums have specific funding eligibility requirements. Contact your museum's Workforce Development Point Person for more information.
Approximately $575 for registration fees and $1250 for travel/lodging/meals is available per person. Limited pool of funding. Funds must be spent no later than June 30, 2027.
Application deadline: Rolling while funds are available.