CAM e-NEWS 1/3/2007

FIND YOUR MUSE... Be a member of the California Association of Museums! CAM is the only professional association specifically addressing the needs and interests of California's museums and relies on membership dues to support its programs and services. Membership benefits and fees are available at http://www.calmuseums.org/membership.

ONLY NINE DAYS LEFT UNTIL THE CAM CONFERENCE EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DEADLINE!

The Early Bird Registration Deadline for CAM’s next statewide museum conference, Charting a Course: New Models for Times of Change, is only nine days away! The conference will take place in Long Beach, California, February 21-24, 2007. Long Beach’s waterfront, harbors, and cultural offerings will be the backdrop for an unforgettable conference with Long Beach institutions hosting workshops and special events.

For information about the 2007 CAM conference, including the entire conference program, featured speakers, and registration and hotel details, please see http://www.calmuseums.org/conferences_and_workshops/2007overview.html or contact the CAM office at (831) 471-9970 or admin@calmuseums.org. We hope to see you in Long Beach!

REMINDER: CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL SPONSORS STATEWIDE ARTS CONFERENCE ON JANUARY 30

The California Arts Council (CAC) is sponsoring a statewide arts conference on January 30 titled California Arts: Reflecting, Reframing, Responding. All members of the arts and museum field are invited to attend the one-day conference at the Sacramento Convention Center.

The program starts with a continental breakfast and networking. National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Dana Gioia will deliver the keynote address followed by reports from representatives of the James Irvine Foundation on its report Critical Issues Facing the Arts in California, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation's Status of Arts Education in California. Question and answer sessions will follow all speakers. After a networking lunch, CAC members will conduct a panel on the organization’s new Strategic Plan, followed by a Professional Advocates panel moderated by Anthony Radich, Director of the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF).

The conference fee is $55, including lunch. The registration deadline is January 12, 2007. See http://www.cac.ca.gov/files/013007_registration.pdf to download a registration form. For more information about CAC or the statewide arts conference, see http://www.cac.ca.gov/. (Excerpted from the California Arts Council's CAC Update, 11/22/06.)

MAKE A DONATION TO SUPPORT CAM’S LEGISLATIVE WORK

As the Legislative Session resumes this month, CAM will continue to maintain a presence at the State Capitol, serving as an advocate for all California museums. CAM’s advocacy efforts are working and 2006 was a pivotal year. In addition to the Year of the California Museum proclamation and resolution, CAM advocated for new and enhanced funding from state sources, and has begun a dialogue with state officials regarding the establishment of an Office of Museum Services. This level of advocacy, however, is expensive. In the current fiscal year, CAM will spend $25,000 to retain the services of a lobbyist and over $6,000 for California Museum Month. These combined figures represent over 17% of our annual operating budget. CAM is unable to fund its legislative work solely through memberships. For that reason, we are asking all members and supporters to make a financial contribution towards our legislative advocacy efforts. If every CAM member made a modest donation, we would be well on our way to fully funding our legislative program.

Any donation is appreciated and will help California museums continue to have a voice in Sacramento and a presence in the offices of our elected officials. See http://www.calmuseums.org/news/2006_appeal_letter.pdf (PDF file) to read about the difference CAM is making and to contribute to this worthy cause. For additional information, please contact Celeste DeWald, Executive Director, at (831) 471-9970 or cam@calmuseums.org.

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