Join us for our first conference as GAME scheduled for June 5-7, 2025, in Vancouver, BC.

REGISTER

Museums and galleries are facing increasing challenges and opportunities to engage audiences in critical conversations that consider diverse perspectives and access needs of all visitors. During our time together, we will explore the complexities of addressing the evolving nature of community engagement, creative practice and cultural/institutional priorities. This conference will also acknowledge the labour required to do this work, examining topics of wellness, care, and sustainability.

Our Keynote speaker for 2025 is esteemed writer and educator Georgina Kleege. Georgina will dispel myths and misconceptions about touch and share practical recommendations for museum professionals who wish to improve touch access for blind and visually impaired visitors. Other sessions include a visit to the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, case studies, land-based engagement, Vancouver Art Gallery tours, an introduction to the new Chinese Canadian Museum and more!

Most importantly, what GAME does best is creating networks among museum educators across the country. We are excited to hold space with you as we connect through ideas, community, and the land upon which we will gather.

Georgina Kleege is Professor Emerita of English at the University of California, Berkeley where she taught creative writing and disability studies. Her collection of personal essays, Sight Unseen is a classic in the field of disability studies. Essays include an autobiographical account of Kleege’s own blindness, and cultural critique of depictions of blindness in literature, film, and language. Many of these essays are required reading for students in disability studies, as well as visual culture, education, public health, psychology, philosophy and ophthalmology. Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller transcends the boundaries between fiction and nonfiction to re- imagine the life and legacy of this celebrated disability icon. Kleege’s latest book, More than Meets the Eye: What Blindness Brings to Art is concerned with blindness and visual art: how blindness is represented in art, how blindness affects the lives of visual artists, how museums can make visual art accessible to people who are blind and visually impaired. She has lectured and served as consultant to art institutions around the world. She now lives in New York City.

CALL FOR CASE STUDY PROPOSALS (closes April 1)

Conference Cost

• $425: Early Bird (before March 15)
• $450: Full Conference Registration (after March 15)
• $395: Case Study Registration
• $220: Student Registration
• $195: One Day Registration
• 10 complimentary spaces available for those who are part of an equity-seeking group

Current Membership Fees

• Institutional Membership: $100 (2 voting)
• Individual Membership: $50 (1 vote)
• Equity Seeking/Student Membership: $30 (1 vote)
• Indigenous Membership: $0 (1 vote)

Registration and Case Study information to come.

Accommodations

• Booking Code: Please advise the booking code GAME25
• 1-night non-refundable payment will be due immediately with a balance due upon arrival
• Cancellation
  • If you cancel more than 48 hours prior to arrival, the 1-night non-refundable payment paid is forfeited.
  • If you cancel within 48 hours of arrival, the 1 night non-refundable is forfeited and the remaining nights will be charged to the card

For questions, please contact Susan Rome, GAME Senior Co-Chair SRome@vanartgallery.bc.ca