Mixed Results for Museums in Federal Budget
On February 1, 2010 President Obama released the spending details of his $3.83 trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2011 (FY11). The proposal calls for nearly $23 billion in cuts and terminations of or reductions to 126 programs. Learn more about how programs supporting our nations' museums fared in this opening move of the annual appropriations process.

Contact Congress: Zoos and Aquariums Must Be Included In Jobs Bill!
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Just Announced – Hotel Partnerships for Museums Advocacy Day 2010!
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Register NOW for Museums Advocacy Day 2010!
Museums Advocacy Day 2010 will be March 22-23 in Washington, DC. Don't miss this unique opportunity to get advocacy training and issue briefings and advocate for museums on Capitol Hill.
Learn More and Register Today!

Congress Finalizes FY10 Funding for Museums
In December, Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill that included funding of $282 million for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Office of Museum Services (OMS) at IMLS is funded at $35.2 million for FY2010, representing nearly level funding to the FY09 $35 million funding level. The consolidated appropriations bill (H.R. 3288) was signed into law by President Obama on December 16, 2009 and provides FY10 funding for several federal agencies.
Learn more about legislative issues affecting museums

Did you miss any of AAM’s FREE 4-part online advocacy training series?
These programs, one each month of fall 2009, were designed to help the museum field learn about advocacy for museums – including making the case for your museum and building relationships with your legislators. Access the archived program materials

Congratulations, museum advocates! Thanks to your efforts, the Coburn/McCain amendment (S. Amdt. 2372) – which would have prohibited ANY funding from the Transportation Appropriations bill (H.R. 3288) from going to ANY museum – was defeated on the Senate floor today.  The amendment, which states, “None of the funds made available by this Act may be used for a museum,” was rejected by a vote of 41-57! Learn more

See Ford Bell's Letter to U.S. Senators

Get Your Fair Share:  Become A Census Partner Today!
Do you wonder whether your community actually gets its fair share in terms of federal support? If so, your museum should consider being a “Census Partner” for the upcoming 2010 census. Visit http://nonprofitscount.org/become-a-census-partner.html to learn more.

25 Members of Congress Sign Museum Letter
THANK YOU to all the advocates around the country who took the time to ask your Members of Congress to sign on to the Tonko/Slaughter letter to the House Appropriations Committee urging $50 million for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Please click here to send a thank you letter to Members of Congress who signed on to this important letter.

See the Signed Dear Colleague

Be an E-Advocate for Museums!

Contact YOUR Members of Congress about Funding for IMLS, IMLS Reauthorization, the impact of No Child Left Behind on your museum and the Artist-Museum Partnership Act

Learn more about Funding for IMLS, IMLS Reauthorization, Museums and Education Policy, and Charitable Giving

Complete an Economic Impact Statement for Your Museum

Learn more about Museums Advocacy Day

AAM President Ford Bell Testifies Before House Appropriations Subcommittee

 

Make a contribution today to help support ongoing AAM government relations efforts, including organizing Museums Advocacy Day and e-advocacy efforts, and working directly with Congress and federal agencies.

Congress Allows Museums to Compete for Stimulus Funds; Zoos and Aquariums Still Barred From Most Funding
On Friday, February 13, 2009, the U.S. Congress unveiled the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Learn more here.

Read Ford Bell's Letter to H.R. 1 Conferees
Read Ford Bell 's Letter to the Senate Majority Leader
Read Ford Bell 's Letter to the House Appropriations Committee

	Click HERE to access February's Advocacy Webinar: Listen Up Legislators! Getting Your Message Across AAM Advocacy Webinar Power Point
This webinar occurred live on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 and the archive is now available.