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overview

Who we are and how we serve our community

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The people who make it all happen

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Meet MSA leadership

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Get in touch with us

staff

Your Museum Store Association contacts

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Ways to support our nonprofit organization

membership

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How to join MSA or renew Membership

shoptalk

Our  online community platform

membership Directory

Members only access

chapters

Leadership at the local level

MSA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

An opportunity for professionals with budget challenges to attend MSA FORWARD

RECOGNITION AWARDS

The 2024 MSA Recognition Award winners

MSA NEXT

Emerging industry professionals

BUYER'S CHOICE AWARDS

Recognizing creativity and innovation in retail products showcased at MSA FORWARD

JOB SOURCE

Your one-stop career resource center to find and prepare for your next opportunity

education

Educational Recordings

Searchable downloads of all educational
sessions for members and non-members

publications

Providing ideas and methods to help store operators and employees

msa forward

Past conferences with links to session recordings, awards, exhibitors, and more. 

resource library

Curated content library for our members

Upcoming Live Webinars

What is ON for live digital events

MSA Blog

Articles written by subject matter experts to inform and educate

Knowledge standards

The foundation of nonprofit retail

Events

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

The schedule of webinars and events with descriptions and links to registration pages

msa forward conference

Where to find information about MSA FORWARD Conference and Expo

market Events

MSA events at wholesale gift markets

museum store Sunday EVENT

Annual Museum Store Advocacy Day

The Museum Store Association’s Knowledge Standards represent skills that are at the core of MSA learning programs and are designed to support a member’s professional development. They are a comprehensive summary of what today’s nonprofit retail professionals need to know in order to perform their work successfully and advocate for their in-house retail operation.

Knowledge Standards can help a member advocate for their current role within an in-house retail operation, guide their institution’s understanding of a nonprofit retail enterprise, and serve as a road map to furthering their professional success.

Here are the nine Knowledge Standards with brief descriptions. Click the button below to download the long form descriptions. 

Merchandise Planning

Creating a plan for the purchase, development, and display of merchandise.

Visitor Relations

Visitor Relations is the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures to manage how a nonprofit retail enterprise will engage with its visitors to enhance and extend the visitor experience.

Operations

Operations includes the ongoing management of the retail operation and its related sales outlets.

Financial Management

Financial Management is a comprehensive system of controlling, measuring, and maximizing fiscal performance.

Human Resources

Human Resources involves skillful management of personnel, both paid staff and volunteers.

Marketing and Communications

Marketing is the range of activities undertaken by a nonprofit retailer to promote the sale of the retail operation’s product and the awareness of the institution. Communication is the exchange of information for successful outreach to all internal and external audiences.

Technology

Technology in cultural nonprofit retail involves sourcing, implementing, and managing the appropriate technologies to support the retail operation.

Strategic Management

Strategic Management is the development and implementation of strategies that ensure the long-term success of the business.

DEAI

DEAI in cultural nonprofit retail involves the perpetual practice of being mindful of biases throughout your business, including creating an inclusive environment for staff, visitors, and volunteers.

MEMBER EDUCATION BENEFITS

Become an MSA member for access to the complete Knowledge Standards resources. The MSA Resource Library, Live Webinars, and the Museum Store Magazine are free resources to MSA members. Members also get discounts on recorded webinars and conference registration rates to attend MSA’s in-person conference with over 12 educational sessions, retail boot camps, and educational excursions.

Learn more about membership HERE.