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.
What is our future if we don't preserve, celebrate, educate about, and question our past? #museumsadvocacy2017
— Megan Hipsley (@meganinmuseums) February 27, 2017
Every year, more people visit museums than attend sporting events and theme parks combined! #MuseumsAdvocacy2017 pic.twitter.com/YhrTgv8Eal
— NC Museums Council (@NCMC1963) February 27, 2017
#Museums employ 400,000+ Americans & directly contribute $21 billion to the economy each year- @aamers. #DayofFacts https://t.co/9RzHjESpTt
— Museum Hack (@MuseumHack) February 17, 2017
"Art is a catalyst for powerful change," @WomenInTheArts director @AAMers #MuseumsAdvocacy2017
— Alexandra N. Coon (@alexNcoon) February 27, 2017
"Our country is weaker without the power of our stories… that is what's at stake." #NEH chairman, William Adams #museumsadvocacy2017
— Kate R (@interpretkate) February 27, 2017
It's officially here; the start of #museumsadvocacy2017! Tell your political leaders #MuseumsMatter today, tomorrow, & everyday! @AAMers pic.twitter.com/xibnZLwZME
— Miranda Chavis (@mlchavis) February 27, 2017
This just in: Museums Are F***ing Awesome #museumsadvocacy #museumsadvocacy2017 pic.twitter.com/UFrk1QuiZf
— Museum Hack (@MuseumHack) February 27, 2017
Important message from @smithsonian Secretary Skorton #museumsadvocacy2017 @AAMers @PeggyMcGlone – https://t.co/4M9hAVioyf
— Laura Lott (@LottLaura) February 27, 2017
This is why we're participating in #museumsadvocacy2017. Michigan has a lot at stake in terms of Federal funding for museums. pic.twitter.com/9LSfa58EAK
— MichiganMuseumsAssn (@MichiganMuseums) February 27, 2017
Museums are educational centers, memory makers and sanctuaries #museumsadvocacy #museumsadvocacy2016 @AAMers pic.twitter.com/noErdVWlLn
— Tinker Swiss Cottage (@Tinker_Cottage) February 23, 2016
In 2016, @rrmuseumpa restored the "Lindbergh Engine." #PHMCbigimpact #museumsadvocacy #museumsadvocacy2017 https://t.co/ahramU6sPb (PDF) pic.twitter.com/nh4Q3gk11D
— PHMC (@PHMC) February 27, 2017
NPOs = 10% of American workforce. Delaney calls it "the invisible sector, we're everywhere but no one really sees us." #MuseumsAdvocacy2017
— Ani Schmidt (@MuseumUnhinged) February 27, 2017
"There are at least 425,000 trustees that can be activated& engaged in advocacy." @AAMers #museumsadvocacy2017 pic.twitter.com/myRDOVtJB6
— Sage Museum Ed (@MuseumsP12) February 27, 2017
#Museums are a #PublicService that #listen & #respond to our communities. That's why #MuseumsMatter! #museumsadvocacy2017 @CabinetofCurios https://t.co/Q8eB6steag
— Miranda Chavis (@mlchavis) February 27, 2017
24 senators sent letter to keep funding the NEA and NEH @AAMers @NEAarts @NEHgov #museumsadvocacy2017 https://t.co/o9kNl1vBDN
— Laura Lott (@LottLaura) February 27, 2017
Providing educational opportunities 4 rural Western NY & Northern PA through sponsored field trips & our ArtMobile outreach #MuseumsAdvocacy pic.twitter.com/DXxNlS1scA
— Quick Arts Center (@QuickArtsCenter) February 27, 2017
For more insights, follow the conversation on Twitter via #MuseumsAdvocacy2017. Then, go forth and advocate! The cause has never been more important.
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