VRA Virtual Conference 2026: Zooming In
The Visual Resources Association 2026 Annual Conference will be held virtually, October 5–9th.
Attendee Info
What does it mean to truly look closely? This year's VRA annual conference, Zooming In, invites visual resources professionals to shift from the wide view and settle into the details, the workflows, tools, discoveries, and community conversations that define our day-to-day practice
Delivered fully online, VRA 2026 brings together a rich program drawn from 40+ proposals spanning panels, lightning talks, virtual tours, and more. Whether you're navigating new roles in your institution, exploring how AI is reshaping cataloging and metadata work, grappling with collection development decisions, or finding new ways to activate and engage communities through visual collections, there's a session built for where you are right now.
This year's program reflects both the breadth and the depth of our field: from digitizing ancient scrolls to first-time service management, from reparative description to classroom pedagogy, and interactive digital maps. It's a conference for asking: what happens when we look more carefully?
Join us to learn, connect, and zoom in.
Please direct any questions about the annual conference to VRA’s Directors for Events & Initiatives at initiatives@vraweb.org.
Registration Rates
| Type | Early Bird | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Members / Business Affiliate Members | $100 | $125 |
| Non-Members (Registration + Membership) | $200 | $225 |
| Student Members | $20 | $25 |
| Student Non-Members (Registration + Membership) | $70 | $75 |
| Discount Members | $75 | $100 |
| Discount Non-Members (Registration + Membership) | $125 | $150 |
Attendee Resources
Important Dates
July 15: Early bird registration opens
September 5: Early bird registration ends
Networking & Social Events
New Career Professionals Meetup: An informal session where newer career professionals and job seekers can come together to connect and discuss current projects, experiences, workflows, or seek and give advice.
Crafting Connections: Come meet fellow conference attendees while making a craft in the comfort of your home or office. Let's e-mingle with other attendees, share conference memories, or just chat. This event is perfect for new VRA members, first-time conference attendees, and crafty people alike.
Other Resources
Travel Awards: This year, no travel is required! Awards cover registration costs, and, in some cases, VRA membership.
VRA Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct applies to all meetings, events, working groups, and other activities organized through the VRA, including those taking place in-person or online.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Platinum
vrcHost
Join us as a sponsor
As a sponsor, you have an estimated audience of 100+ VRA professionals who are deeply invested in finding products and services that will make their organizations more efficient and effective. With your sponsorship, you can help create connections between projects and individuals, support the flow of ideas across communities, and encourage fresh perspectives.
About the conference artist
Lee Post of PostMarks LLC, is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist, whose comic strip, Your Square Life, ran in the Anchorage Press from 2001 to 2007. He’s produced several books including Portraits for the Alaska Immigration Justice Project and contributed a chapter to A Native Lad, a collaborative Alaska history graphic novel. In addition to numerous gallery shows, he had a solo retrospective at the Dorothy Page Gallery in Wasilla, and gave a presentation at the Anchorage Museum. He's also done live "visual harvesting" for a number of large audiences across Alaska.
Website: postmarks.graphics
Instagram: @postmarks.graphics