Arlington, VA – In response to the President’s announcement that further negotiations over a COVID-19 relief package would cease until after the election, Laura Lott, President and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums, released the following statement:

“The decision made by the President today to halt negotiations on COVID-19 relief is an irresponsible and shameful act following Congress’ failure to provide much-needed financial relief. Museum advocates across the country have sent more than 50,000 letters to their elected officials, working to ensure their federal legislators are well aware of the desperate need that exists in order to ensure the future stability of our economy, our educational system, and our communities. To simply give up on negotiations is incomprehensible. Museums and their workforces across America have been diligently filling the gaps in their communities as our educational, healthcare, and social systems have struggled to cope with the impacts of COVID-19, all while enduring insurmountable financial pressure themselves.

While the CARES Act assisted numerous museums to retain their staffs and maintain what operations were possible, the funding has run out and we’ve witnessed massive layoffs and furloughs that will have ripple effects throughout communities. The human pain is incalculable and will only continue to grow without the assistance museum advocates have been demanding of their elected officials.

Despite immeasurable obstacles, museums are actively serving their communities. It’s time for elected officials to do the same and get back to the negotiating table.”

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums has been bringing museums together since 1906, helping to develop standards and best practices, gathering and sharing knowledge, and providing advocacy on issues of concern to the entire museum community. Representing more than 35,000 individual museum professionals and volunteers, institutions, and corporate partners serving the museum field, the Alliance stands for the broad scope of the museum community.  For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

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Press Contact:

Natanya Khashan
Director, Marketing & Communications
media@aam-us.org