2026 IMF Conference Call for Abstracts
Back to Basics, Outside the Box
Call for Abstracts
due May 15, 2026
The IMF Steering Committee is pleased to announce the 10th biennial International Mountmakers Forum conference to be held in San Francisco on November 3-5, 2026, hosted by the Asian Art Museum.
Our theme for IMF2026 is “Back to Basics, Outside the Box”. We hope it will draw topics fundamental to exhibition mountmaking as well as more creative and innovative solutions and techniques that build on those principles.
The conference program will cover three full days. Specific content organization is dependent on the submissions received. The review committee will favor topics that offer practical tips for the emerging mountmaker as well as those that describe more complex solutions and techniques communicated in an accessible fashion.
Presenters have 4 submission options: Presentations can be delivered in-person, virtual-live or pre-recorded
· Presentation (20 minutes)
· Short presentation (under 10 minutes).
· Panel with multiple speakers (30 minutes)
· Poster or demonstration table presentation
Abstracts must specify:
· Your submission preference
· Provisional title
· Names and contact information for each submitter, panelist(s) & moderator
· Description not to exceed 400 words
Abstract submissions are due no later than May 15, 2026. Review decisions will be made and communicated by June 15th. Conference registration will be required. More details will be announced this summer.
Our community offers a vast spectrum of knowledge, and we encourage people to not underestimate their skills. Something you may think is elementary might be new to others. All of our shop setups, knowledge and techniques are acquired by specific necessity, budget, geography, available materials, institutional styles and of course the individual’s unique way of seeing the world. We look forward to learning from your specific vision, knowledge, and creativity.
For more information on the IMF and past conferences, please visit our website at mountmakersforum.net. If you have specific questions about IMF2026, please email us at contactmountforum@gmail.com using “IMF2026 inquiry” in the subject line.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
-The IMF2026 Planning Committee