CAM LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE DESIGN

CAM is pleased to announce that it has launched a new website design that showcases the diversity and richness of the California museum field and provides resources and information. This new design is the first of several planned steps to develop effective online tools and resources that benefit museums across the state. See http://www.calmuseums.org/ to view the new design.

This new website design includes:

• photographs from California museums' programs and collections;
• general information about CAM, including a board and staff listing (see "About CAM");
• details about upcoming and past CAM conferences and workshops (see "Conferences and Workshops");
• the current edition of CAM e-News, back issues, and other publications and reports about the California museum field (see "CAM e-News and Other Publications");
• a job directory that is updated every two weeks (see "Job Directory");
• information about CAM membership, a listing of current institutional members, and a Business Associates Directory to help museum workers find consultants and services (see "Membership");
• an overview of CAM's role as a legislative advocate and links to online advocacy tools and other resources (see "Legislative News"); and
• information about California Museum Month, including a downloadable copy of the new California Museum Month Toolkit (see "California Museum Month").

The design of CAM's new website was generously donated by Orinda Group with guidance by volunteer webmaster Jim Angus and under the supervision of CAM's Communications Committee. We are very thankful for their time and assistance. If you have any questions or comments about the CAM website, please contact Celeste DeWald, Executive Director, at cam@calmuseums.org or (831) 471-9970.

AAM TESTIFIES REGARDING IMLS FISCAL BUDGET AND REQUESTS ACTION

On Thursday, March 30, the American Association of Museums (AAM) testified before the House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. This subcommittee oversees funding for the Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS). AAM's testimony asked the Appropriations Committee to support the President's request of $41,385,000, including a $4 million increase for the Office of Museum Services in FY 2007.

What can you do to help? Call, e-mail or fax your legislators and urge them to support increases for IMLS, NSF, NEA and NEH. Visit http://www.house.gov/writerep/ to write or e-mail your Representative or http://www.senate.gov/ to get your Senators' contact information. If you send an e-mail, be sure to include the topic, bill or agency in your subject line so that it can be directed to the appropriate staff member responsible for the issue. Or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office of your Representative or Senators and request to speak to the appropriate staff person.

CAM will be hosting its next conference in Long Beach, California, February 21-23, 2007 and the Call for Session and Workshop Proposals is now available online. CAM invites proposals from the field that present strategies and ideas for strengthening the future of museums, their programs, collections, and communities. See 2007 CAM Conference for the guidelines and submission instructions--and additional details about the conference. The deadline for submissions is June 2, 2006. We hope to see you in Long Beach!

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

DON'T FORGET 2006 NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK APRIL 23-29, 2006
National Volunteer Week will be held April 23-29, 2006 this year and it is an opportunity for all nonprofit organizations to recognize their valued volunteers. Sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation, National Volunteer Week calls the public's attention to all the things volunteers do to improve our communities. The 2006 theme is "Inspire by Example." For more information on how to recognize your volunteers or to download the 2006 National Volunteer Week toolkit, go to http://www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/tools.cfm. The toolkit will help you plan and publicize your recognition activities on the local, state, and national levels.

FOUNDATION GIVING IN 2005 A RECORD BUT FORECAST FOR 2006 IS UNCERTAIN
According to Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates: Current Outlook, a new report released by the Foundation Center, giving by the nation’s 68,000 grantmaking foundations grew to $33.6 billion in 2005. This estimated 5.5 percent increase followed the 5.1 percent gain recorded in 2004. However, the lingering impact of the economic downturn in the early 2000s, continued variability in market performance, and a lack of strong and consistent growth in assets will limit increases in foundation giving in 2006. For additional information and to view the entire report, see http://fdncenter.org/gainknowledge/research/nationaltrends.html.

ARTICLE ADDRESSES NONPROFITS COLLABORATING TO RAISE MONEY
The Chronicle for Philanthropy recently released an article about nonprofit organizations partnering together to raise funds. The writer say that joint fund-raising partnerships can bring in more money than single organizations could produce on their own—and they involve less strain because the work and expenses are shared. However, they concede that it can be difficult to find an organization willing to share fund-raising projects; potential partners fear they could lose employees, donors, or visibility to the other charity, experts say. To read the entire article, see http://philanthropy.com/free/articles/v18/i12/12f00201.htm.

CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL MEETING IN SAN DIEGO ON APRIL 17TH
The public is invited to attend the meeting for the California Arts Council on Monday, April 17, 2006 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM at the Mingei International Museum at 1439 El Prado - Balboa Park, in San Diego. Agenda items include general business and a compilation of public comments concerning the Council's strategic plan proposal. A representative of the museum will give introductory remarks. Questions should be directed to Mary Beth Barber at the CAC at 916-322-6588 or mbarber@caartscouncil.com. (Excerpted from CAC Update, April 7, 2006.)

AHMANSON FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO NONPROFITS IN LOS ANGELES
The Ahmanson Foundation supports nonprofit organizations serving Los Angeles County, CA in the areas of the arts and humanities, education, medicine and health and human services. Support is also provided for building funds, renovation and equipment, capital campaigns, endowments, institutional scholarship funds, matching grants and special projects and programs. For additional information, go to http://www.theahmansonfoundation.org/.

LARGE TURNOUT FOR MAP APPLICATIONS
The American Association of Museums is happy to announce that 171 applications were received in February for the Museum Assessment Program (MAP). MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review and implementation. An estimated 116-125 museums will be accepted into the program this year. MAP staff will inform applicants of their status in May. If you have questions, contact MAP staff at 202/289-9118 or map@aam-us.org. (Exerpted from AAM Aviso, April 2006.)

CHRISTENSEN FUND FOR BAY AREA INSTITUTIONS
The Christensen Fund supports activities by Bay Area institutions around (1) maintaining and sharing the cultural and artistic life of Diaspora communities; and (2) engaging young people and the broader community in understanding the breadth of the world’s biological and cultural diversity, the value of connection to landscape and the threats of such things as global warming. Inquiries/pre-proposals are due April 30, 2006 and September 30, 2006 and grant amounts range from $20,000 to $40,000. For additional information, go to http://www.christensenfund.org/.

FINDING FUNDING TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND RELATED ARTICLES
Is your museum interested in sustainable design and trying to find related resources? The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest has published a five-part series of articles pertaining to sustainable design on their website. The fifth and final installment, Finding Funding to Support Sustainability, provides an overview of funding sources for sustainable design projects (and links to the other articles). To read the article,visit: http://fconline.fdncenter.org/pnd/10001692/tsn/funding

AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS MARKETING CONFERENCE IN LOS ANGELES
The 2006 National Arts Marketing Project Conference will take place April 29-May 2, 2006 at the Millenium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The title is Blockbuster Results on an Indie Budget: Arts Marketing and Earned Income Strategies that Work! See http://www.artsusa.org/events/2006/abc/namc/003.asp for the complete schedule and registration information.

LEADERSHIP EXCHANGE IN ARTS AND DISABILITY CONFERENCE
The Leadership Exchange in Arts and Disability (LEAD) Training and Conference will take place in Washington, DC at the John F. Kennedy Center August 3-6, 2006. This conference is for Accessibility Managers in the Cultural Arts, Outreach and Education Coordinators, Visitor Services Managers, and others interested in issues of accessibility. Detailed information about the conference will be posted at www.kennedy-center.org/accessiblity in about three weeks.

JUDITH ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION GRANTS IN SUPPORT OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
The Judith Rothschild Foundation makes grants to present, preserve, or interpret work of the highest aesthetic merit by lesser known American artists who have died after September 12, 1976. Examples of grants include support for: the organization of exhibitions; the acquisition of works of art for display and study; the development of accompanying public programs, films, or videos; the preparation of publications; scholarly and critical pursuits; and, the conservation, cataloguing, and safe-keeping of works of art. Previous grants have not exceeded $35,000. Requests must be postmarked between April 15 and September 15 of each year. For additional information,see http://www.judithrothschildfdn.org/.

WELLS FARGO FUNDING
In 2005, through corporate and foundation grants, Wells Fargo gave 5,435 grants to nonprofits that totaled over $38 million. Wells Fargo gives first priority to requests where the primary purpose of the grant is to benefit people and communities of low and moderate income. While Wells Fargo accepts requests for financial support from organizations which enhance a community’s quality of life — including cultural, arts, civic projects, and other activities — these grants are not one of their funding priorities. To view the funding guidelines for California, see https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/charitable/ca_guidelines.

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM LAUNCHES NEW DIGITAL RESOURCE
The Smithsonian American Art Museum Photograph Archives is pleased to announce a new digital resource, Photographic Portraits of American Artists from the Peter A. Juley & Son Collection. This group of 4,700 photographs records a broad range of artists working in the United States during the first three quarters of the twentieth century. Many of the images show artists in their studios or at home with their families and offer interesting glimpses into the artistic and social climate in which they worked. This photographic resource, now fully digitized, is available to researchers online through the Smithsonian Institution Research Information System (SIRIS): http://sirismm.si.edu/siris/julquickstart.htm.

BANK OF THE WEST GRANTS FOR CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Among other funding priorities, Bank of the West provides grants for well-managed cultural activities in communities which the Bank serves. Bank of the West's Charitable Contributions Program operates on a year-round basis. Contribution requests are granted based on the nonprofit organization's ability to meet the Bank's charitable giving criteria, eligibility, need, and availability of charitable funds. See http://www.bankofthewest.com/BOW/main.jsp?ChId=6f8dc2d8b4d2ff00VgnVCM10000087c35c92____ for additional information.

STUDY SAYS MORE AMERICANS WILLING TO GIVE MONEY THAN TIME
A survey conducted last December indicates there has been a shift in how Americans are willing to support nonprofit organizations. About half of the people surveyed said it was easier to give money than time, an increase of 13 percentage points from 2004. The number of people who said it was easier to volunteer than to give money dropped 10 points, to one in three. But the survey, conducted by phone with 1,000 adults, also found that people reported volunteering at the same rate in 2005 as those interviewed in 2004. For additional information, see http://philanthropy.com/free/update/2006/03/2006033101.htm.

MAJOR NSF GRANTS FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION COLLABORATIVES
Support is available from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for projects that will create, implement, evaluate and disseminate effective programs that attract K-8 students and prepare them for science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines. There will be 17 awards of $14 million each for projects that involve school districts, community businesses, a college of education, and an informal science education organization. The letter of intent is due May 31st with the final proposal due June 30th. For information, go to http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf06560.

W.M. KECK FOUNDATION FOR SCIENCE, LIBERAL ARTS, AND MORE
W. M. Keck Foundation's Southern California program supports organizations providing civic and community services, health care, early childhood and pre-college education, and arts and cultural enrichment--with an emphasis on children, youth, and families. The letter of inquiry is due May 1st with the full proposal due September 15th. Nonprofit organizations and other entities serving Southern California may apply. See http://www.wmkeck.org/about/index.html for additional information.

CALIFORNIA ALLIANCE FOR ARTS EDUCATION CONFERENCE MAY 7-8, 2006
The California Alliance for Arts Education will be hosting the 2006 Arts Education Leadership Conference: Advocacy in Action at the California Museum of History, Women and the Arts in Sacramento, May 7-8, 2006. Arts education colleagues from throughout California will participate in a 2-day event that will inspire action and give participants the tools, information, knowledge, and connections necessary to advocate for change in your communities. See http://www.artsed411.org/involved/conference2006.stm for additional information.

CSUMB HOSTS LECTURE AND DISCUSSION ON MUSEUM COLLECTIONS
The California State University, Monterey Bay’s Visual and Public Art Department will present their 2006 annual Museum Colloquia, titled “Collections Reconsidered: Owned, Loaned, or Looted?” This program will feature keynote speaker Dr. Alicia Gonzales, Anthropologist and Educator on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 6:00 PM. The program is free of charge and open to the public. For additional information, see http://art.csumb.edu/museum.

BOEING'S GRANT GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Boeing provides charitable contributions to U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable or educational organizations in five focus areas: education; health and human services; arts and culture; civic; and the environment. Boeing also considers requests for in-kind donations and services, as explained below. (A Boeing office is located in Seal Beach, CA.) See http://www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/community/guidelines.htm for additional information.

CIPM CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WORKSHOP
The Certified Institutional Protection Manager (CIPM) cerification program will be hosted by the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection & CPM West on Monday, May 22, 2006 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas. Upon successful completion of exam, participants will be awarded CIPM certification, and certificate will be awarded on site or mailed within one week of workshop. For a list of topics that will be addressed or for more general information, contact Rob at: rob@ifcpp.org or call (800) 257-6717.

Get the Word Out in CAM e-News!
Please email the CAM office at cam@calmuseums.org to list any announcements pertaining to professional development programs, grant opportunities, or related opportunities in future editions of CAM e-News and on the CAM web site. Since it is not possible to include all the details of an announcement, please include a phone number, web site address, or email address so interested parties can get additional information. Please do not exceed a limit of 150 words per listing. All announcements are subject to editing by CAM personnel.