VRA Virtual 2026: Full Schedule

What does it mean to truly look closely? This year’s VRA annual conference, Zooming In, invites visual resources professionals to shift from the wide view and settle into the details, the workflows, tools, discoveries, and community conversations that define our day-to-day practice.

Delivered fully online, VRA 2026 brings together a rich program drawn from 40+ proposals spanning panels, lightning talks, virtual tours, and more. Whether you’re navigating new roles in your institution, exploring how AI is reshaping cataloging and metadata work, grappling with collection development decisions, or finding new ways to activate and engage communities through visual collections, there’s a session built for where you are right now.

This year’s program reflects both the breadth and the depth of our field: from digitizing ancient scrolls to first-time service management, from reparative description to classroom pedagogy, and interactive digital maps. It’s a conference for asking: what happens when we look more carefully?

Join us to learn, connect, and zoom in.

2:00pm EDT

VRA Executive Board Meeting

Monday October 5, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

For VRA Board Members.

Monday October 5, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT

Meeting

10:00am EDT

Welcome & Ice Breaker: Zooming In Together

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Kick off VRA Virtual 2026 by joining us for a warm welcome to this year's conference, Zooming In! Before we dive into panels, lightning talks, and virtual tours, take a moment to connect with fellow visual resources professionals from across the field. Your VRA hosts will open the conference with a few opening remarks from our President, Margaret McKee, and a fun ice-breaker activity designed to...
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Speakers

Margaret C. McKee

The Menil Collection

Joanne Jones

Gallery Systems

Barb Elam

Bard Graduate Center

Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am EDT

Event

11:00am EDT

Collections in Action: Engagement through Maps, Outreach, and Pedagogy

Tuesday October 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

This session brings together three presentations exploring how visual resources professionals are finding creative new ways to connect collections with the people who use them, from public-facing digital storytelling to classroom pedagogy. Each presenter will have 15-20 minutes to share their work, followed by a joint Q&A. Bringing Archives to Life with Interactive Digital Maps Presenters from...
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Speakers

Dacia Metes

Digital Archives Manager, Queens Public Library

Stephanie Mackin

University of South Florida

Alexandra Vargas-Minor

University of South Florida

Jami Mathewson

Urban Archive

Luke Leither

University of Utah

Tuesday October 6, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Session

12:15pm EDT

Activating Collections (Lightning Round)

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm EDT

This lightning round features three short presentations exploring creative, hands-on approaches to bringing collections to life for students and patrons — followed by a joint Q&A. A New Lease on Light: Upcycling Slides for Engagement This talk describes how the JHU VRC is engaging new patrons through a cross-campus partnership with the Center for Visual Arts while upcycling deaccessioned slides...
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Speakers

Grace Stroud

University of Notre Dame

Lael Ensor-Bennett

Johns Hopkins University

Cara Tremain

Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm EDT

Lightning Round

12:15pm EDT

Bringing It to Light (Lightning Round)

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm EDT

This lightning round features four short presentations, each 5-7 minutes, showcasing innovative approaches to metadata, storytelling, and access — followed by a joint Q&A. From Records to Storytelling: How Exhibits Are Curated Through Metadata This presentation explores the role of metadata for pattern recognition, including thematic patterns and community networks across collections, as well as...
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Speakers

Isabella Howell

Virginia Tech Libraries

Rachel Wittmann

J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah

Vince Lee

University of Houston Libraries

Mackenzie Reynolds

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tuesday October 6, 2026 12:15pm - 1:00pm EDT

Lightning Round

1:30pm EDT

Responsible Description (Lightning Round)

Tuesday October 6, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Responsible Description Presented by the Equitable Action Committee This 60-minute lightning talk session highlights projects and policies in GLAM institutions that encourage responsible and accurate description of collection materials. Attendees will learn about projects, processes, initiatives, and workflows intended to update descriptions and add new metadata that accurately reflects the...
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Speakers

Summer Shetenhelm

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

Tuesday October 6, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Lightning Round

1:30pm EDT

Cool Things We've Worked On!

Tuesday October 6, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Cool Things We Work On Think old stuff is cool? From the weird to the wonderful, come learn about some of the coolest things our metadata, cataloging, and conservation colleagues have had the pleasure of researching and describing. One of the best parts of visual resources work is getting to explore collections that teach us something new — whether they open up unfamiliar corners of history or...
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Speakers

Brinna Michael

Cornell University Library

Nora Davies

Smith College

Matt Saba

MIT Libraries

Jana Dambrogio

MIT Libraries

Chloe McLaren

Cornell University Library

Oa Sjoblom

Sjoblom Art Conservation

Tuesday October 6, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT

Session

2:35pm EDT

Vendor Showcase

Tuesday October 6, 2026 2:35pm - 2:55pm EDT

Join us for a 20-minute look at tools and services from the visual resources and cultural heritage community. Vendor to be announced.

Tuesday October 6, 2026 2:35pm - 2:55pm EDT

Vendor Showcase

3:00pm EDT

Keynote

Tuesday October 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Join us for this year's keynote address, a highlight of VRA Virtual 2026. Speaker to be announced.

Tuesday October 6, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT

Keynote

10:00am EDT

Members Breakfast

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Kick off the second day of the conference over breakfast with fellow VRA members.

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Event

10:30am EDT

Cataloging in the Age of AI

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly woven into metadata and cataloging workflows, this themed session brings together four presentations examining both the opportunities and the open questions AI raises for the visual resources field — from accessibility and inclusivity to authenticity and professional judgment. A joint Q&A will follow all four presentations. AI in Moderation:...
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Speakers

Dana Reijerkerk

Independent Scholar

Linda Ballinger

Penn State University Libraries

Wen Nie Ng

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Tommy Trisciani

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Sahara R. Smith

Rochester Institute of Technology.

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Session

10:30am EDT

Centering Communities: Equity and Representation in Visual Collections

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

This session brings together three presentations exploring how visual resources professionals are centering underrepresented communities in collection development, description, and public engagement — through cross-institutional partnerships, culturally responsive metadata practices, and community-focused exhibits. A joint Q&A will follow. Collaborative Pathways to Equitable Visual Collections A...
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Speakers

Pamela Caussy

Concorida Univeristy, Montreal, Canada

Joyce Gabiola

University of Houston Libraries

Kevin Kinney

University of Houston Libraries

Wednesday October 7, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Session

11:45am EDT

Intellectual Property Rights Committee Meeting

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

The Intellectual Property Rights Committee invites current members, and those interested in joining, to gather and talk about recent copyright developments.

Speakers

Bonnie Rosenberg

The Art Institute of Chicago

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Meeting

11:45am EDT

Navigating New Roles: Professional Transitions and Workplace Culture

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

This session features one 15-20 minute presentation and two lightning talks exploring the evolving nature of work in visual resources — from multigenerational collaboration to the unexpected career pivots reshaping roles across the field. A joint Q&A will follow. Talkin' About My Generation — Workplace Dynamics Among Generations at the Lucille C. Little Fine Arts & Design Library Our arts...
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Speakers

Karyn Hinkle

Director of the Fine Arts & Design Library, University of Kentucky

(she/her)

Carla Cantagallo

College of Design Liaison, University of Kentucky

Mike Satalof

Bard Graduate Center

Sudha Anand

Indiana University

Wednesday October 7, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Session

12:45pm EDT

Members Gathering

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm EDT

The Membership Committee is hosting a Powerpoint Party! All are invited to join for a relaxed social event, the virtual version of the Members' Night Out hosted at the last two conferences. Kick back and have some fun with fellow attendees as they present on their favorite niche topics. All attendees will be entered into a drawing to win some prizes! Come ready to laugh, connect,...
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Speakers

Margaret C. McKee

The Menil Collection

Noah Thompson

Smith College

Wednesday October 7, 2026 12:45pm - 1:15pm EDT

Social

1:15pm EDT

From Curatorial Pedagogy to Professional Development: Skill Building through Student Exhibitions

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

From Curatorial Pedagogy to Professional Development: Skill Building through Student Exhibitions This 60-minute panel examines various models for staff and instructors to empower students learning curatorial practices through hands-on experience, and demonstrates how these programs can evolve over time. Bringing together panelists from institutional archives and a visual resources center...
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Speakers

Miriam Kienle

University of Kentucky

Matthew Strandmark

University of Kentucky

Sarah Melloy

University of Louisville Archives & Special Collections

Caitlin Cooner

University of Chicago

Brittan Nannenga

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Session

1:15pm EDT

Putting It into Geographic Context: Digital Mapping Projects in the Humanities Classroom

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Putting It into Geographic Context: Digital Mapping Projects in the Humanities Classroom Moving beyond black backgrounds, digital mapping tools now allow students to ground architectural structures and cultural heritage objects in geographic context. This 60-minute panel presents three case studies using platforms such as ArcGIS and Omeka to create maps and illuminate spatial narratives. Once upon...
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Speakers

Amy McKenna

Williams College

Otto Luna

University of New Hampshire

JJ Bauer

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Wednesday October 7, 2026 1:15pm - 2:15pm EDT

Session

2:20pm EDT

Vendor Showcase

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT

Join us for a 20-minute look at tools and services from the visual resources and cultural heritage community. Vendor to be announced.

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:20pm - 2:40pm EDT

Vendor Showcase

2:45pm EDT

New Career Professionals Meetup

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

This informal social session brings together newer career professionals and job seekers to connect with one another. Come share current projects, experiences, and workflows, or simply seek and give advice in a relaxed, low-pressure setting.

Speakers

Daniel Cichowlas

Michigan State University

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

Social

2:45pm EDT

Welcome to the Tour: Exploring IU Digital Collections

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

Join Sudha Anand from Indiana University on an interactive tour of IU Digital Collections, built on an open-source infrastructure. This session will cover work types, integrations, and surrogate generation workflows, highlight compelling collections and access points, and demonstrate simple, practical ways to bring these digital resources into programming, instruction, outreach, and engagement by...
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Speakers

Sudha Anand

Indiana University

Wednesday October 7, 2026 2:45pm - 3:45pm EDT

Virtual Tour

3:45pm EDT

Crafting Connections

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:15pm EDT

Crafting Connections, hosted by Julia Murphy, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Come meet fellow conference attendees while making a craft in the comfort of your home or office. Let's e-mingle with other attendees, share conference memories, or just chat. This event is perfect for new VRA members, first-time conference attendees, and crafty people alike.

Speakers

Julia Murphy

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Onn Brown

Independent Archivist

Wednesday October 7, 2026 3:45pm - 4:15pm EDT

Social

10:00am EDT

Future Forward

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Help shape what's next for VRA! This session invites members to share their ideas, hopes, and vision for the future of the organization — from new programs and partnerships to the ways VRA can continue to grow and support its community. Come ready to dream big and be part of the conversation that shapes where we go from here.

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Event

10:00am EDT

Casual Coffee

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Start your day off right! Grab your coffee (or tea) and join fellow attendees for some casual conversation before the day's sessions begin.

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:00am - 10:30am EDT

Social

10:30am EDT

Handle with Care: Digitizing Fragile and Challenging Materials

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

This session brings together three case studies on the practical and technical challenges of digitizing rare, fragile, and unusually formatted materials — from combustible nitrate film to century-old newspapers to oversized scrolls. A joint Q&A will follow. Nitrates: Now or Never Svea Elisha, Duke University Libraries Duke University Libraries is coming to the end of a multi-year Nitrate...
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Speakers

Svea Elisha

Duke University Libraries

Matthew Carissimi

The Ohio State University Libraries

Sami Wright O'Connell

Boston University Libraries, Digital Ventures

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Session

10:30am EDT

Strengthening Community Connections in Museums and Archives

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Strengthening Community Connections in Museums and Archives Bridging the Gap: The Power of Community Outreach in Museums and Archives This three-person panel brings together professionals from both museums and archives to explore the importance of community outreach and examine how community input helps transform institutions from passive repositories into active community partners. Panelists will...
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Speakers

Ashley Royer

Imperial Calcasieu Museum

Lindsey Lutgring

McNeese State University

Anna Alamond

McNeese State University

Thursday October 8, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

Session

11:45am EDT

Exhibition Installation Photographs as Teaching Tools

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Exhibition Installation Photographs as Teaching Tools Lisa Gavell, Artstor on JSTOR Exhibition photographs, or "collections in absentia," offer rich resources for studying artworks, exhibition design, and curatorial practice. In this hands-on workshop, participants will use JSTOR Workspace to analyze high-resolution installation images through annotation, grouping, and comparison, fostering close...
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Speakers

Lisa Gavell

Artstor on JSTOR

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Meeting, Vendor

11:45am EDT

Digitization Lab Tours & Lab Round-Table

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Get an inside look at digitization labs from all over VRA. From single scanners to advanced imaging setups, VRA members have contributed short, pre-recorded tours of their digitization labs. For newbies and longtime digitization specialists alike, this session opens the floor to a round-table discussion with tour guides, covering equipment, staffing, budgets, and techniques. Find out how...
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Speakers

Ann McShane

Emory University

Noah Thompson

Smith College

Thursday October 8, 2026 11:45am - 12:45pm EDT

Virtual Tour

1:00pm EDT

What To Keep: Collection Development Decisions

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

This session features three lightning talks and one 15-20 minute presentation exploring the practical realities of collection development — from deciding what to acquire, to what to keep, to how shifting formats and technologies are reshaping the process. A joint Q&A will follow. Strategic Collecting: When Less Is More (Lightning Talk) Malia Van Heukelem, University of Hawaii at Manoa...
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Speakers

Vincent Albarano

The Ohio State University

Leticia Wiggins

The Ohio State University

Zoe Adams

American Institute of Physics

Ratna Dhaliwal

University of Saskatchewan

Malia Van Heukelem

University of Hawaii at Manoa Library

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Session

1:00pm EDT

The Promise and Peril of AI for Visual Resources: Experiments, Tools, and Impacts

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

The Promise and Peril of AI for Visual Resources: Experiments, Tools, and Impacts New technological developments employing artificial intelligence show great promise for streamlining image processing and generating descriptive metadata. This 60-minute panel explores current AI developments, experiments, and experiences to inform the practice of visual resources. Most agree that AI is a...
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Speakers

Thomas Gailis

Corcoran Art History Program

Nancy Harm

Luna Imaging, Inc.

Andreas Knab

vrcHost LLC

Jason Przybylski

JSTOR Digital Stewardship Services

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:00pm - 2:15pm EDT

Session

2:15pm EDT

Awards, Recognition and 2027 Conference Preview

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Join us for a special session celebrating the achievements and contributions of our VRA community. Take this time to recognize colleagues whose work, service, and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the field, and enjoy a well-deserved moment of connection and celebration with fellow attendees.

Thursday October 8, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT

Event

3:15pm EDT

Tour of the National Gallery of Art's Department of Image Collections

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Tour of the National Gallery of Art's Department of Image Collections Missy Lemke, National Gallery of Art

Join us for a virtual tour of the National Gallery of Art's Department of Image Collections, highlighting its possibilities for research in connoisseurship, conservation history, provenance, the history of photography, and art reproduction.

Speakers

Missy Lemke

National Gallery of Art

Thursday October 8, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

Virtual Tour

11:00am EDT

Digital Humanities Special Interest Group

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

Digital Humanities Special Interest GroupAmy McKenna, Williams College

Join the Digital Humanities SIG for a dynamic lightning round introducing a wide variety of digital tools. Expand your portfolio and be inspired to introduce new tools and projects in your workplace. Current, new, and prospective members are all welcome to attend.

Speakers

Amy McKenna

Williams College

Friday October 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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