Museum Advocacy Day

The day has finally come! Today marks the beginning of the two-day Museum Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Museum staff and prospective museum professionals are getting together to celebrate, advocate and support museums in D.C. and across the world. For those located in Washington, D.C. there are a number of events scheduled: welcome sessions, networking receptions, et cetera. February 27th marks the most important of the Museum Advocacy Day events. Advocates meet with Representatives of their home states to push for extra funding and support from the government.

For those who cannot meet with other museum professionals in Washington, D.C., the American Alliance of Museums offers ways to advocate for museums at home. The following are suggestions from the AAM web page Join the Cause: Advocate from Anywhere:

1.) Contact congress

2.) Meet localy with your Legislators

3.) Public outreach using press releases, media pitches, education economic impact and charitable giving

4.) Speak up for museums on social media platforms: use the hashtags #museumadvocacy and #museumadvocacy2018

5.) Recruit more advocates and supports to raise funds

6.) Expand and refresh advocacy skills

I was very thrilled to find that the American Alliance of Museums offered ways for everyone across the United States (and arguably around the world) to join in advocating for museums. With such a big movement, museums and museum professionals will be heard!