# Event Details - **Event Name**: Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 at 10:00 am – Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 at 12:00 pm - **Event Description**: An interactive media workshop for emerging museum professionals focused on press releases, storytelling, and social media strategies.About this EventJoin for an interactive media workshop featuring Michael James Rocha, from the San Diego Union-Tribune. This hands-on session pulls back the curtain on how museum stories make it into the media and how you can shape that process. Through real-world case studies such as In the Curator’s Words, Fall Arts Preview, and audience engagement features, Michael will share how curatorial voices, visual assets, and clear storytelling drive coverage.Attendees will learn the essentials of an effective media pitch, why press releases still matter, and how social media is used to showcase visual art. The workshop concludes with a guided activity where participants develop a media strategy for a hypothetical exhibition, considering assets, collaborators, and coverage goals. Participants will leave with practical tools, fresh insight into newsroom decision-making, and new skills they can immediately apply to their museum work.Spots are limited, register now!Featured Speaker - Michael James RochaMichael James Rocha is the digital creative director at The San Diego Union-Tribune. He oversees the presentation of Union-Tribune stories online and has oversight of the photo and graphics teams. He also writes a regular feature on visual art called "In the Curator's Words." He previously was the arts and entertainment editor. During his tenure, the Union-Tribune’s Sunday arts section was named the best in the nation two years in a row (2021 and 2022). Rocha started his career at the Union-Tribune in December 1997 as a features page designer. He eventually became the features design editor. Through the years, he has done stints as the front page designer, audience development editor and home decor editor. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications (with an emphasis in print journalism) from California State University-Fullerton. He is a founding member of the Asian American Journalists Association’s San Diego chapter, and he has taught magazine design at Point Loma Nazarene University and the University of Connecticut. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/6de68480-fe83-11f0-942f-d149ae617f16-rimg-w592-h740-dc040405-gmir.jpg Event Outline:9:45 AM - 10 AM Check-in10 AM - 10:15 AM Mingling and Introductions10:15 AM - 11 AM Interactive Presentation by Michael James Rocha11 AM - 11: 45 AM Hands-on Exercises + Learning11:45 AM - 12 PM Wrap up + Final Q&A12 PM Stick around and explore the Bontia Museum!What to expect:Light refreshments will be provided.Bring a notebook and pens to take notes!Come ready to ask qustions, engage and collaborate with other!The Bonita Museum will be open, and we invite participants to stick around to explore their current exhibitions.Participants will learn a little bit about the museum and have the chance to ask questions thanks to our host, Director Wendy Wilson. https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/6e2673b0-fe83-11f0-97b0-bf8aa747ab8d-rimg-w1200-h421-dcffffff-gmir.jpg A special thank you to the for hosting this SD EMP event!The Bonita Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, for public education and enjoyment, the culture, history, arts, crafts, and aesthetic facets of the region, specifically El Rancho de la Nacion in South San Diego County.The Bonita Museum is located in South Bay San Diego County in the heart of Bonita, immediately adjacent to the Bonita-Sunnyside Library.Accessible Entrance & FacilitiesThe entrance is ADA-accessible. All levels of the building are accessible including exhibition spaces, research archives, and administrative offices. All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.ParkingThere are accessible and free parking spaces in the lot in front of the museum.Service DogsService dogs are welcome. Service dogs must be on a non-retractable physical leash that is less than six feet in length. Each visitor may only have one service dog. The U.S. Department of Justice requires that service dogs be trained to provide assistance to a person with a disability. Visitors are not allowed to bring emotional support animals into the museum.AdmissionThe museum is donation-based. You can pay as much, or as little, as you choose. Many guests “give forward” admission, because if you choose to make a donation, it helps pay for someone else’s visit in the future.Current ExhibitionsExhibition dates: January 14-February 28, 2026Exhibition dates: February 1 - 28, 2026 https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/6e6ccb80-fe83-11f0-8e38-f9b94c99e860-rimg-w987-h740-dcc1b9ad-gmir.jpg https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events5/banners/6fbcf230-fe83-11f0-8e38-f9b94c99e860-rimg-w623-h740-dcf0f0f0-gmir.jpg Learn More About Our PurposeWe strive to bring together San Diego’s Emerging Museum Professionals (SDEMP) community for networking and professional development opportunities.We facilitate career growth and advancement through networking, workshops, and events.We provide a platform for EMPs to communicate with and learn from one another.We create a strong EMP presence in the County of San Diego through partnerships with local and national museum and cultural professional organizations.We create a network within our local arts, science, and culture community to benefit the career growth of our members.MembershipAll it takes to become a member is joining our newsletter. If you're on the list, you’re in!Benefits include:Professional networking events at fun local venuesBehind the scenes tours of popular museum exhibitionsSpecial gatherings with in-depth conversations about museum trendsInvitations to engaging panel discussions with museum leadersDiscounts on registrations for professional development seminarsAn opportunity to serve on the San Diego EMP BoardStay ConnectedFollow us on Instagram + connect with us on https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/701683e0-fe83-11f0-8e38-f9b94c99e860-rimg-w1200-h300-dc700000-gmir.jpg - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/bonita/media-matters-engaging-strategies-for-museums/100001982031485528 - **Event Categories**: exhibitions, workshops, art, dog, nonprofit, storytelling, business - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 10, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Bonita - **state**: CA - **country**: United States - **location**: Bonita Museum and Cultural Center - **lat**: 32.661055116986 - **long**: -117.03454637801 - **full address**: Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Rd, Bonita, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/32573f765510f24e0a450e541b91319c529d5c4bedbd34cdd5b09d8353f1ef84-rimg-w1200-h600-dc040405-gmir.jpg?v=1769850124 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums being held? - **A:** Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums takes place on Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 at 10:00 am to Sat, 28 Feb, 2026 at 12:00 pm at Bonita Museum and Cultural Center, 4355 Bonita Rd, Bonita, United States. - **Q**: How much do tickets cost for Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums? - **A:** Tickets for Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums are priced at USD 10 per person. Here's a full breakdown of available ticket types:Ticket TypePriceAvailabilityMedia Workshop TicketUSD 10AvailableDonationFreeAvailable - **Q**: Who is organizing Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums? - **A:** Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums is organized by San Diego Emerging Museum Professionals (SDEMP). - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Media Matters: Engaging Strategies for Museums is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Bonita, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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