You don’t have to be in Washington, D.C., to make a difference. Let your legislators know about all the work your museum does and essential ways museums serve their communities. Here are several ways you can participate in advocacy for museums every day of the year.

1. Send a letter to your members of Congress about critical issues affecting museums.
2. Schedule a visit with your legislators’ district staff. It’s a critical way to start or further a relationship with your legislator. Find your legislators’ capitol and district office information, and your federal and state legislators’ social media information so you can follow and connect with them online.
3. Let your legislators know your museum’s economic impact in the community. Personalize the economic impact statement with your museum’s logo and information, and send a snapshot directly to your legislators’ offices. Share your state’s economic impact with your legislators.
4. Connect with your local CVB or tourism board. Their goal is to highlight what your community has to offer and bring visitors, tourism and economic support to your area; make sure you are on their radar and part of their messaging and efforts.
5. Join forces with other museums in your community. Plan a group visit or conversation with your legislators or their district staff in their offices legislators’ district staff or schedule time to strategize with area museums on working with the elected officials who represent you. Also see the House Calendar and Senate Schedule so that you are aware of district work periods during which you can connect with your legislators at home throughout the year.
6. Create a Year-Round Advocacy Plan. Use our guide to identify one or two actions to take every month to build relationships with legislators and raise the visibility of your museum.

7. 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.

8. 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. Our Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum materials – including information on participating in and hosting virtual events and telephone meetings in addition to in-person events – make it easy for museums of all types and sizes to participate and connect with your elected officials each summer and throughout the year.  You can easily adapt the Invite Congress materials to use for hosting your local and state government officials as well.

9. 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.

10. Engage your Board: Board members are often your biggest champions. Visit the Stand for Your Mission webpage for more information on engaging your Board.  Learn more about the role your board can play.