Museum Store Association

10/12/2026

Museum stores play an important role in connecting people with art, history, and culture. Today, we encourage our community to keep learning from Indigenous voices, support Indigenous artists and creators, and celebrate the rich cultural traditions that shape our shared world.

Museum Store Sunday

10/03/2026

🩺 The Doctor is IN! Is your museum store in good health?

Our latest MSA Blog post takes a closer look at how the Museum Store Association’s Retail Industry Report can help you diagnose your store’s performance, spot trends, and uncover growth opportunities.

In Part 1, Julie Steiner, Senior Director of Admissions and Retail Operations at the Barnes Foundation, shares how industry data can help you take a closer look at your store’s performance—and make more informed decisions.

📊 Ready for your checkup? Read the blog!

👉 https://bit.ly/4AOnOMV

For more insights, download your copy of the Retail Industry Report HERE>>> https://bit.ly/4eaFubK

09/18/2026

📣📣📣 Enjoy Museum Store Association Member Testimonials!

Real Stories, Real Impact: The Power of MSA Membership

Don’t just take our word for it—see how MSA membership has transformed museum stores across our community.

Join today! https://museumstoreassociation.org/membership/

https://youtu.be/cm4rPEROKu0

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

09/11/2026

🇺🇸 Remembering September 11.

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of those who responded and those who continue to carry their memories forward.

We are grateful for the work of our member, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, whose mission helps ensure that the stories and lessons of September 11 are remembered for generations to come.

We remember.

National September 11 Memorial & Museum

https://www.911memorial.org/visit/visit-museum-1

08/22/2026

Thank you ART IS NYC, for being our first Museum Store Sunday 2026 Sponsor! 🎉

We’re thrilled to have ARTIS support the 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY celebration and continue its long-standing commitment to museum stores and the museum retail community nationwide.

Follow ART IS NYC on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/art.is.nyc

Museum store buyers, be sure to explore ARTIS https://www.artisnyc.org/ and discover a longtime advocate and valued partner in our industry.

ATTENTION museum stores: Get all the resources you need by becoming a Museum Store Sunday Participant today (it's💯% FREE)! Visit>>> https://museumstoresunday.org/participant-registration/ Signing up as a participant helps us track the growth/outreach of our campaign. It's a big deal for our mission and free for you!

08/14/2026

🎄 Planning your museum store’s holiday event? Need some fresh inspiration?

Now is the time to start thinking beyond the holiday sale and create an experience your customers—and members—will look forward to all season long.

From festive touches and exclusive shopping perks to refreshments, entertainment, gift wrapping, special surprises, and opportunities to deepen member engagement, a holiday event can do more than drive sales. It can create connection, build loyalty, and showcase your museum store as a destination.

Looking for ideas? Take a peek at how the Key West Art & Historical Society brings its annual Holiday Bazaar to life—and grab some inspiration for your own holiday event planning.

✨ Unlocking the Magic: Our Annual Holiday Bazaar Private Shopping Event

👉 Read the blog and start dreaming up your holiday magic: https://museumstoreassociation.org/unlocking-the-magic-our-annual-holiday-bazaar-private-shopping-event/

07/26/2026

Outage reported: Are you looking to register for the MSA Happy Hour/Networking event at the Las Vegas Market? There is an outage reported, so our website is temporarily down. If you want to register for this event, it's not too late!

The event will start at 6 PM, Monday, July 28, at Vic's Las Vegas!

Find details and the registration link here >>> https://members.museumstoreassociation.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2048820&group=

We apologize for any inconvenience this outage has caused; it should be resolved shortly.

07/24/2026

☀️ Summer hiring has an advantage: less competition.

Hiring? While other employers hit pause, you can get ahead of the fall recruiting rush. Post your opening on the MSA Career Center and connect with motivated, qualified museum professionals.

Job seeking? Don’t wait until fall to start exploring. New opportunities could be waiting for you now. Browse the MSA Career Center, update your profile, and take the next step in your museum career.

Whether you’re looking for your next great hire or your next great opportunity, the MSA Career Center is the place to start.

Museum Store Association offers the top jobs available in Your industry. Search and apply to open positions or post jobs on Museum Store Association now.

07/23/2026

When asked during a recent congressional oversight hearing about merchandise sold in Smithsonian Museum stores, Dr. Anthea Hartig, historian and director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, emphasized that museum stores are curated to support the communities they serve. Elizabeth Price, executive director at the Museum Store Association, further explains the objective of the museum store in a statement we invite you to read:

“Yes, items being sold in museum stores featuring the phrase "Latina Power" can be both appropriate and mission-aligned. For example, such merchandise may complement an exhibition exploring the history, contributions, and experiences of Latinas, or be offered by an American history museum during U.S. National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Museum retail professionals work closely with curators to develop merchandise that reflects the museum's collections, exhibitions, and educational mission. Thoughtfully curated products not only enhance the visitor experience and generate important revenue to support the institution, but also provide meaningful points of connection for diverse audiences. By offering merchandise that reflects a broad range of identities, histories, and experiences, museums can help more visitors feel represented, welcomed, and engaged.”

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, questioned National Museum of American ...

07/22/2026

Some museum merchandise is simply unforgettable... and sometimes it even steals the spotlight! 🐋

The New Bedford Whaling Museum's clever "Worst Aquarium Ever" apparel is making waves—and it's a perfect reminder that museum stores are where storytelling, creativity, and a great sense of humor come together. 👏

The best museum merchandise doesn't just commemorate a visit—it becomes part of the story people take home.

Here's to all the museum stores creating products that spark conversations, inspire smiles, and keep visitors coming back for more. What's the biggest hit in your museum store right now? 👇

Years ago, someone left a 1-star Google review complaining about the aquarium at the New Bedford Whaling Museum... before it even had an aquarium.