The message from the American public is clear: museums matter.
Americans overwhelmingly value museums as educational, cultural, and economic assets to their communities. They support federal funding for museums and respond positively to lawmakers who take action to support them. And that support reaches across age, political affiliation, and museum-going habits.
Nearly a decade after AAM first began tracking public opinion in 2018, Americans continue to recognize the essential role museums play in their communities and across the country.
To assess the value Americans place on museums, and how much they want government to support museums, the American Alliance of Museums partnered with Wilkening Consulting to write and test several key questions,
analyze survey results, share findings, and to coauthor this report.
Report Highlights
95% of Americans believe that museums are educational assets for their communities.
89% believe that museums contribute important economic benefits to their community.
91% would think positively of their elected officials taking legislative action to support museums.
96% want federal funding for museums to be maintained or increased.
Only 1 in 10 Americans support censoring museum content.
Museums remain one of the most trusted sources of information to Americans, and trust in museums has increased over the last several years.
The report concisely summarizes the findings of the study and provides single page tear-outs to use as leave behinds as you work with your board, elected officials, or community stakeholders.
Download the report
Upcoming Events
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AASLH-NCPH Joint Conference
Event Date:Presented by: American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)Providence, RI -
All You Need to Know to Drive Success for Your Museum Store Sunday!
Event Date:Presented by: Museum Store Association -
Transit Insurance in Practice for Traveling & Co‑Organized Exhibitions
Event Date:Presented by: American Alliance of Museums -
Digital Collections Summit
Event Date:Presented by: MuseumNext
