Virginia Association of Museums (VAM): 2026 Top Ten Endangered Artifact Nomination Form

Thank you for your interest in VAM's Virginia's Top 10 Endangered Artifacts program. Museums, archives, libraries, historical societies, and other collecting organizations in Virginia and Washington, DC are invited to submit endangered artifacts that share the stories, accomplishments, and struggles of the Commonwealth’s history and culture for consideration of selection as an honoree of the 2026 Top 10 Program. VAM’s Top Ten Endangered Artifacts Program has been nationally recognized and replicated by other states while helping more than 200 organizations. The annual top ten list creates a greater awareness of the important and diverse stories told through these rare treasures.

In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary and in line with the 2026 VAM annual conference theme of “Little ‘r’ Revolutions: Museum Transformations for Everyone,” nominations must be related to the history and legacy of the American Revolution. Museums, like revolutions, hold the promise of change. The 2026 conference will celebrate how small ‘r’ revolutions help build and empower resiliency and transformation across VAM's extensive network of cultural institutions. If selected, the organization agrees to compete in the online crowdsourced voting competition and plan on attending the 2026 Annual Conference in Williamsburg, VA (March 15-17).

This year's program is proudly supported by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) in partnership with VAM. The generous support from the VMHC allows VAM the opportunity to more meaningfully support member institutions and their submitted, endangered artifacts for conservation.

The following grant awards will be announced at the VAM 2026 conference:

• Juried Award (Reviewed by museum practitioner committee) - $1500.00
• People's Choice Award - $1500.00
• The remaining eight nominees will be awarded $500.00 each

Limit to one artifact nomination per organization. Nominations close on September 15, 2025. For questions, please reach out to membership@vamuseums.org and for more information on the program, please visit https://www.vamuseums.org/virginia-top-10-endangered-artifacts. Thank you!

By answering "YES" on the next card, you agree that you have the authority to represent the noted applicant organization that the information provided herein is true and complete to the best of your knowledge. You also understand and agree that the Virginia Association of Museums does not verify authenticity or accuracy of the information submitted.