Amplify Museum Voices 

Hundreds of your museum colleagues are participating in Museums Advocacy Day this week, and YOU can back them up by sending letters or calling your members of Congress on the same issues that are being discussed at Museums Advocacy Day. The more constituents a member of Congress hears from, the more likely they will respond. Read about our priorities.

Write to your members of Congress on the following issues:

• Protect Legally Awarded Funding
• Support Funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)
• Incentivize Charitable Giving
• Support NEA & NEH Funding

Learn about other ways you can engage your members of Congress by visiting AAM’s Advocate from Anywhere webpage.

Congressional Museum Caucus

We are excited to report that Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH) have agreed to co-chair the newly created, bipartisan Congressional Museum Caucus. AAM advocated for the creation of the caucus. As part of Museums Advocacy Day, we are requesting members of the House of Representatives to become a member of the caucus. This is a great way for members of Congress to show their support for museums.

Write to your member of Congress and encourage them to join the bipartisan Congressional Museum Caucus.

Year-Round Advocacy: Advocating at All Levels of Government

Advocacy is a long-term effort that involves cultivating relationships and constant engagement. It is important to engage in advocacy at all levels of the government.

Below are just a few examples:

• Attend City Council or County Board Meetings: Getting to know your local officials is an easy step in long-term advocacy. They might run for higher office one day including state legislature or run for Congress so already having a relationship with them when that happens can go a long way.
• Invite Government Officials and Legislators to your Museum: Invite your local, state, and federal representatives to visit or attend events at your museum. This is a great way for them to get to know your museum and for you to get to know them.
• Engage the Public: Write an op-ed. See the op-ed template from Museums Advocacy Day Digital Engagement Kit as an example. The more you adapt the op-ed to fit your museum, the more effective it will be.
• Engage your Board: Board members are often your biggest champions. Learn more about engaging your Board.

See more examples in AAM’s Year-Round Advocacy Webpage.