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.
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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, and enjoy a well-deserved break between sessions.
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.
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.
