STEAMed SPNHC Manual: How to STEAM SPNHC

STEAMed SPNHC explores the intersection of art and science to foster creativity, collaboration, and deeper engagement within the natural history collections community. By integrating artistic perspectives into the conference, it offers new ways to address challenges in scientific communication, inclusion, and sustainability, while creating dynamic spaces for dialogue and innovation. Through events like the Silent Art Auction, Artist’s Corner, and Unconference, STEAMed SPNHC highlights the creative talents within and beyond our field, creates an intentional space to invite and foster cross-disciplinary partnerships and advocacy with local departments - individuals - businesses - and organizations. These efforts help us reimagine and reframe how collections and local expertise can extend and expand their relevance and agency and be responsive to both local and global needs.This manual serves as a living guide to organizing and sustaining the STEAMed SPNHC initiative—an effort to integrate art into the SPNHC (Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections) conference. It is designed to support both new and returning organizers, providing structure, inspiration, and practical tools for planning and executing the initiative’s core activities: the Silent Art Auction, the Artist’s Corner, and an Unconference.