Today, 380 museum professionals gathered together at the Washington Plaza Hotel in our nation’s capital. What’s the reason? With recent policy issues threatening museums, these mobilizers are advocating for why our institutions matter to communities and the economy.

Here’s the looming question: How will museums fare after President Trump releases his FY 2018 budget plan in mid-March? As stated by American Alliance of Museums (AAM), “reports indicate significant budget cuts and the elimination of the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities,” both of which support museums nationwide. The deductibility of charitable gifts, which accounts for more than one-third of museums’ operating budgets, and IMLS funding are also at risk.

The museum professionals advocating in Washington, D.C. will visit over 400 congressional offices today and tomorrow to explain why the above is devastating to museums. But as museum employees, consultants, goers, and lovers, we too know how important museums are. We too know the consequences of these policy changes. And we too can mobilize.

Our voices have more power when we speak up together.

For those not in D.C. this week, go here to discover AAM tools and templates for supporting this cause from afar – from contacting your local representative to joining the conversation on social. Below is a crowdsourced list of tweets (from all of you!) on why museums matter. We encourage you to use these powerful insights and resources from your fellow colleagues as you take action.

For more insights, follow the conversation on Twitter via #MuseumsAdvocacy2017. Then, go forth and advocate! The cause has never been more important.