Museums Advocacy Day

Museums Advocacy Day 2021 – Feb. 22-23

For more than ten years, Museums Advocacy Day has been providing the essential training and support advocates need to meet face-to-face in Washington, D.C. with members of Congress and their staff. With Museums Advocacy Day taking place virtually this year, advocating in support of museums in February 2021 will look different than in past years, but it will be more important and impactful than ever before. Following the elections and the convening of the 117th Congress, it will be critical to join forces with fellow museum supporters and professionals to make our voices heard with legislators and their staff.

To maximize our collective voices and impact, we held a robust virtual Museums Advocacy Day in February. The full Monday, Feb. 22 program took place online. Tuesday, Feb. 23 virtual Congressional meetings were scheduled with Capitol Hill offices, during which lawmakers, staff, and advocates participated by video or phone. While we remain vigilant for additional opportunities to connect with Congress as circumstances continue to evolve, we hope you will continue to advocate for museums in 2021 from wherever you are!

See the 2021 Advocate Materials and Museums Advocacy Day Program

There are many additional ways you can advocate for museums during Museums Advocacy Day and throughout the year:

• AAM Guide to Working with a New Congress
• Advocate from Anywhere
• Advocacy Resources
• AAM Advocacy

Museums Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity to join with fellow museum professionals and supporters to speak up for museums.

Together as a field, we’ve defeated several threats to eliminate federal agencies supporting museums. This year, following the recent elections and with so many museums still in dire situations across the country, we must keep making our case to Congress. Legislators do not know how their decisions affect museums if they don’t hear directly from you—the museums and people they represent. The resources and insights you’ll gain as a participant will help sustain your museum’s future and the future of the field.

We must make the case for museums.

• Lawmakers need to hear from you loud and clear the urgent need for immediate economic assistance for museums, and how you and your museum are being impacted by the pandemic. Museums Advocacy Day harnesses our collective energy when we join together to make the case to legislators and share the urgent needs of museums.

Constituents are the best advocates.

• As a constituent, you are in the best position to create lasting change. Constituent visits have a greater influence on legislators than any other group or strategy. It’s up to each of us to make the case for museums to Congress and tell the story of why museums are essential in our communities. Your constituency is your advocacy super-power.

Museums Advocacy Day is inspiring, energizing and impactful.

• Unite with museum colleagues and supporters from across the country as one voice by connecting with lawmakers to reaffirm our value, collective contributions, and aspirations. Get the information and insights you need to effectively speak up for museums. Join us for Museums Advocacy Day and be a part of our collective movement.

Museums Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity.

• Network with peers from your region, hear from federal agency and nonprofit leaders and build your own professional and leadership skills. Learn advocacy strategies and techniques you can use on Capitol Hill, with your city council and state legislators, with local and regional funders, and to advocate for yourself throughout your career.

Each year the robust Program is updated to educate and inspire both new and returning advocates.

• Get timely, insider information from policy leaders and the tools and information you need to be a successful advocate for museums on Capitol Hill. Whether you are a new or seasoned advocate, you will get all the preparation you need to effectively make the case for museums in 2021 – virtually, on Capitol Hill, and with your state and local elected officials.

Become an Organizational Supporter

Museums Advocacy Day would not be possible without broad, field-wide support. See the 2021 Supporters.

Empower Advocates to Raise Their Voices

You can make an individual donation to the cause today.

Ways to Advocate Today

• Check out #museumsadvocacy2021 for Museums Advocacy Day highlights.
• Keep advocating for museums – COVID-19 Advocacy for Museums.
• Updated for 2020! – Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum
• Stay informed with Alliance Advocacy Alerts

Museums Advocacy Day Videos

Share inspiration from past Museums Advocacy Day attendees.

• Using Our Voice to Speak Up for Museums
• Telling Our Powerful Stories
• Working Together Toward a Common Goal

2020 Materials

• 2020 Program
• 2020 Advocate Materials
• Advocate from Anywhere
• Advocacy Resources