Advocacy Alert – July 19, 2024

In this Alliance Advocacy Alert:

• URGENT! Oppose Drastic House Funding Cuts to IMLS

• #InviteCongress 2024: Use Our How-To Guide to Participate

• Civic Holidays 2024: Find Resources to Participate and Get #VoteReady

URGENT: Urge Your Representative to Oppose Drastic Cuts to OMS

The House Appropriations Committee last week approved a bill that if enacted would make drastic funding cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and its Office of Museum Services (OMS), for fiscal year (FY) 2025, which begins October 1, 2024.

If enacted, the bill would cut the Office of Museum Services by $9.3 million by eliminating National Leadership Grants for Museums, leaving an OMS total of $46.1 million—down from an historic high of $55.5 million. National Leadership Grants are vital as they fund cutting edge programs that are models for the museum field at large.

The bill also would entirely eliminate funding for overall IMLS Research, Analysis and Data Collection ($5.6 million), which would include ending the agency’s ability to conduct the first ever National Museum Survey, which it has already developed and field-tested. All of this preparatory work would be for naught, and all monies spent, wasted. In addition, overall IMLS Program Administration would be cut by $5 million (22%). Libraries were not spared: library discretionary grants were slashed by $25.2 million to $5 million in a bill that would cut education programs by 14% and would eliminate 57 programs. While these proposed cuts are unlikely to make it past the Senate and White House, it’s critical for you to voice your opposition to your Representative now!

The FY 2025 Appropriations process has a long way to go. Senate action has lagged behind the House. In the meantime, it’s critical to oppose these drastic proposed cuts.

#InviteCongress 2024: Use Our How-To Guide to Participate

Have you made your plans to participate in #InviteCongress? Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum week is coming up August 12-16! Since 2012, #InviteCongress has empowered museums of all types and sizes to invite their federal, state, and local legislators and stakeholders in to the museum for a firsthand look at the meaningful work of museums and museum professionals. Inviting legislators and their staff to experience your museum and its programs helps them become invested in the museum. The August Congressional work period provides a critical and timely opportunity for museum advocates to make the case for federal, state, and local support for museums.

We encourage you to use this time especially to urge your Senators and Representative to support at least $55.5 million for the Office of Museum Services (OMS) for FY 2025 and strongly oppose the drastic funding cuts for OMS and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) approved by the House Appropriations Committee. (See above.)

Get started today with our full How-To Guide, which includes these and other resources to help you:

• Find your legislators and their offices’ local contact information

• Send an invitation to your legislators’ offices using our template

• Get step-by-step guidance for planning and preparing for your visit

• Learn about 6 Reasons to Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum (2.5 min. video)

Be sure to share your plans with us, and use #InviteCongress on social media!

Civic Holidays 2024: Find Resources to Participate and Get #VoteReady

Did you know that nonprofits, including museums, can play a powerful civic engagement role in their communities? AAM is again participating as a national community partner of National Voter Registration Day and the additional Civic Holidays, including National Voter Education Week and Vote Early Day. Check out our expanded and updated Nonprofit Voter Resources, which provide a wide range of information about the many ways museums and nonprofits can engage in advocacy, lobbying, and permissible nonpartisan voter engagement activities. Use these informational resources to participate and help ensure that as many communities as possible are #VoteReady and represented in the democratic process.