The AAMies: Application Form

The AAMies: Application Form

Brought to you by AAM's Exhibitions Museums Professionals Affinity Community
Ready to put your idea to the test?

The AAMies invite museum professionals, institutions, designers, and exhibition studios to imagine how exhibitions can help address important challenges facing our communities and our field.

Each year, participants respond to a new challenge by proposing a small, working exhibition experience. Selected finalists will be invited to build their concepts and showcase them at the AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo, where attendees can experience the exhibits firsthand. This year the Annual Meeting & Museum Expo will be held May 5-8, 2027 in Houston, TX.

And yes – finalists will compete for the coveted Golden Stanchion.

The preliminary application is entirely conceptual. You do not need to build your exhibit in order to apply, and there is no expectation that applicants spend money producing materials for this submission. Written descriptions, sketches, renderings, photographs, diagrams, or other simple visuals are all welcome.

Applications are due December 1, 2027.
Entry Title
Give your exhibit concept a short, memorable name.
Entry Category
The AAMies includes multiple categories to help account for the wide range of resources available across the museum field. Please select the category that best describes your proposed entry.
Entry Category
Organization Name
Write "self" if applying as an individual
Primary Contact
Name

First NameLast Name
Job Title
Organization
Email
example@example.com
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
Your Team
Who is involved in developing this concept?

Please provide the names, titles, and email address of additional team members, if applicable.

You may enter as an individual or as part of a team. Your team may consist of up to 6 people.
Your Team
Tell Us Your Idea
The Big Idea: In 100 words or fewer, describe your proposed exhibit. What is it? What will visitors encounter? What will they actually do? Imagine you are describing the experience to someone who cannot see your sketches. (100 words maximum)

0/100
How Does It Work?

Walk us through the visitor experience.
What does a visitor see when they approach the exhibit? What are they invited to do? What happens next? How does the experience conclude? If the exhibit involves more than one visitor, explain how people interact with one another. (300 word limit)

0/300
Responding to the Challenge

Impact: Fostering Human Connections
How does your exhibit respond to the 2027 challenge?

Explain how the experience is intended to combat social isolation and/or encourage visitors to interact with friends, family members, or strangers.

What type of connection are you hoping to create? How is that accomplished? What is the impact of your concept? What do you hope visitors experience or take away from the exhibit? (300 word limit)
0/300
Originality

What makes your idea different?
Tell us what feels new, surprising, experimental, or inventive about your approach. Your concept does not necessarily need to use new technology to be innovative. Innovation might come from the interaction, physical design, visitor role, storytelling approach, use of space, or another aspect of the experience. (150 word limit)

0/150
Have you seen or used a similar concept elsewhere?
If yes, briefly tell us how your proposal differs from or builds upon that work. (100 word limit)

0/300
Feasibility

How would you build it?
Give us a basic description of the materials, components, technology, fabrication, or other resources needed to create a working version of your exhibit. This does not need to be a detailed fabrication plan. (200 word limit)

0/200
Small Museum Exhibit Production Budget
For small museum exhibit proposals, entries must be produced for $500 or less. Provide a detailed, itemized budget here for your proposal. If not submitting a small museum exhibit proposal, type N/A.
Other Operational Requirements

This section is optional
Are there any other operational requirements we should know about? Examples might include sound, lighting, consumable materials, resetrequirements, staffing, accessibility considerations, or other specialconditions. (150 word limit)

0/150
Show Us What You're Imagining
Upload Supporting Images

Please upload at least one image or document that helps reviewers visually understand your concept.

These may include:
- Hand sketches
- Diagrams
- Floor plans
- Storyboards
- Digital renderings
- Collages
- Photographs of prototypes
- Reference images
- Videos (links to videos hosted online)
- Other visual materials
You do not need professional renderings or polished artwork.
Accepted file types: JPG, PNG, PDF

Cancelof
Optional Supporting Caption: Is there anything reviewers should know when looking at your images and documents? (Limit 100 words)

0/100
If Selected as a Finalist
Selected finalists will be invited to produce a working version of their exhibit for display in the AAM Expo Hall.

Finalists will be responsible for the production, transportation, and installation of their exhibits.

During designated periods of the Annual Meeting, representatives from finalist teams will also be asked to be available at their exhibits to meet attendees, answer questions, and discuss their ideas.
If selected as a finalist, would you or a representative of your team be able to attend the 2027 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo in Houston?
If selected as a finalist, are you prepared to fabricate, transport, install, and maintain a working version of your proposed exhibit?
Applicant Agreement
I certify that the information included in this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
I understand that this is a preliminary proposal and that selection as a finalist will require the development of a working exhibit for presentation at the AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo.
I understand that finalists are responsible forthe costs associated with producing, transporting, installing, and operating their exhibit.
I understand that submission of an application does not guarantee selection as a finalist.
I understand that proposals will be evaluated according to the published AAMies judging criteria.
If selected, I agree that AAM may publish the name of the entrant/team, organization, entry title, description, and images for purposes related to the AAMies and the AAM Annual Meeting.
Ready?
Before clicking Submit, make sure you have:
- Described what visitors will actually experience.
- Explained how your idea responds to Fostering Human Connections.
- Told us what makes the concept innovative.
- Explained why you think it could make an impact.
- Demonstrated that the idea can realistically be built.
- Uploaded at least one image that helps us understand your concept.
Then you're ready.
Should be Empty:

The AAMies: Application Form

Entry Title

Entry Category

Primary Contact

Your Team

Tell Us Your Idea

How Does It Work?

Responding to the Challenge

Originality

Feasibility

Small Museum Exhibit Production Budget

Other Operational Requirements

Show Us What You're Imagining

If Selected as a Finalist

Applicant Agreement

Ready?