Virtual Programming

by Lori Meads, Educator

At the start of 2020, no one felt virtual programming was in the museum’s near future. However, that quickly changed, and May 2021 will mark the first anniversary of virtual programming here at MOA.

Virtual programming began by testing several platforms, asking questions, and involving the museum’s volunteers to see what they felt was user friendly. It was agreed that Zoom was the preferred platform for individuals—especially those who may not have been previously accustomed to logging into a virtual program.

MOA’s first scheduled virtual program was a History for Lunch presentation with Meg Puckett of the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. Meg came to viewers live from the Currituck beaches of the Outer Banks, and all 51 participants could hear the ocean and sea breeze while watching wild horses roaming freely. The museum then scheduled Weeksville Elementary School music students in third through fifth grades to highlight musical instruments in the museum collection. Approximately 70 students and teachers signed on for that educational program from their homes.

Virtual programming has allowed the museum to reach individuals from basically all 50 states and several countries, to bring in guest speakers we normally would not have been able to host, and to protect staff members and guests during this time of uncertainty.

The museum is now in a hybrid programming step, having recently combined virtual with inperson programming, due to limitations on guest gatherings. We will continue to do so, based on requests from visitors located outside the area. This implementation of hybrid programming will also allow the museum to have speakers that are not within driving distance or guests outside our time zone, while accommodating visitors that prefer attending in person programming.

We invite you to join us, either from home or in person.