Virginia Association of Museums (VAM)

2027 Top Ten Endangered Artifact Nomination Form 

The Virginia Association of Museums is excited to announce the return of the Top Ten Endangered Artifacts program for 2027, presented by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC). The Top Ten Endangered Artifact program is a nationally-recognized, annually awarded program that invites museums, archives, libraries, historical societies, and all other collecting institutions in Virginia and Washington, D.C. to nominate and endangered object in their collection for conservation grant award consideration.

What does it mean for an object or artifact to be endangered? We define endangered as a piece in an institution's collection that is in imminent need of restoration, stabilization, conservation, or repair in order for it to remain possible for the institution to care for the object for generations of Virginians to come. In the past, the Top Ten Endangered Artifacts program has helped to fund the restoration of a rare ambrotype of author Edgar Allan Poe, stabilize a 19th-century silk bodice worn by Patrick Henry's daughter, and carefully preserve a fragile photo collage of the graduating class of 1954 at the Robert Russa Moton High School.

This year, in honor of our nation's 250th anniversary and in line with the 2027 VAM Conference "Back to Basics: Museum Building Blocks," we are asking institutions to nominate endangered objects in their collection that fit into one of two themes:

• The creation of democracy. As Virginians across the Commonwealth continue to reflect on the sacrifice, meaning, and future of our representative government, what objects help tell this story? This could be an archival work, a piece owned or associated with a civic leader, or any endangered object that sparks a conservation about our American democracy, past and present.

OR

• Foundational stories. Think of the object that serves as the foundation of the unique interpretation of your institution. Is it a portrait? A tool? A piece of furniture or item of clothing? Whatever it may be, we are excited by the opportunity to help preserve an essential part of your site's story for Virginians to come.

Over the course of this winter, our volunteer Selection Committee will carefully review all nominations and publish a Top Ten Honoree list of finalist objects to be highlighted on our website and social media in the weeks leading up to our 2027 Annual Conference in Charlottesville, March 13-16. This is an excellent opportunity to share the diverse stories of these rare treasures and the institutions that care for them! 

The following grant awards will be announced at the VAM 2027 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 object nomination per organization. Nominations close on December 31, 2026. 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", 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 and fulfill the eligibility requirements. You also understand and agree that the Virginia Association of Museums does not verify authenticity or accuracy of the information submitted. 

Nomination Details & Eligibility:

• Object nominations are open NOW through December 31st, 2026!
  Nominating organization must be located in the Commonwealth of Virginia or District of Columbia and be an institutional member in good standing of the Virginia Association of Museums (VAM).
• Nominated objects must fit either of this year's themes and be in need of specific conservation intervention.
• All submitted application materials, including photographs and other supplemental media will be used for administrative review, and may be used for press and promotional purposes via our website, e-mail, and social media.
• If your institution has previously nominated an object that was not chosen as a Top Ten Honoree but fits one of this year's themes and is still in need of conservation, we encourage you to re-nominate!
• If your institution nominated an object that was previously chosen as a Top Ten Honoree three or more years ago but did not receive either the Juried or People's Choice Award and fits one of this year's themes and is in need of additional conservation, we encourage you to re-nominate!
• Previous Top Ten Endangered Artifact Award Winner objects (Juried or People's Choice) are not eligible.
• Institutions represented on the Selection Committee are not eligible to nominate.
• Objects on loan to an institution are not eligible
• Historic structures and land are not eligible.