Now is the time to get serious about submitting your session proposals for the 2008 CAM conference! CAM invites proposals from the museum field for its annual conference in Fresno, February 25-27, 2008. Join us in the heart of California to share strategies and ideas for strengthening the future of museums. Proposals must be submitted online at http://www.calmuseums.org/conferences_and_workshops/2008overview.html by June 15, 2007. There are only a few weeks left to organize your thoughts and your speakers!

IMLS AWARDS ALMOST $5 MILLION FOR CRITICAL CONSERVATION AT NATION'S MUSEUMS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has announced the 65 museum recipients of the 2007 Conservation Project Support (CPS) grants totaling $4.9 million. The grant program, which began in 1984, helps museums identify conservation needs and priorities and perform activities to ensure the safekeeping of its collections. CAM would like to congratulate the five California institutions that received an award: Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College, for "Conserving Ten Chinese Paintings"; University of California, Davis, Arboretum, for "GIS Data Model for Plant Collections at Botanical Gardens and Zoos"; Oakland Museum of California, for "New Storage for Native American Basket Collection"; San Diego Museum of Art, for "Conservation of Night Presence II by Louise Nevelson"; and, the de Saisset Museum, Santa Clara University, for "Detailed Conservation Survey of Works on Paper". For a full list of recipients, visit http://www.imls.gov/news/2007/051007_list.shtm.

NATIONAL FILM PRESERVATION FOUNDATION ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR PARTNERSHIP GRANTS
The National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF) is accepting applications for its Partnership Grants. Through this program, nonprofit and public archives can receive grants for film preservation work at laboratories and post-production houses donating services to NFPF. The deadline to apply is June 15. Complete program information is available at the National Film Preservation Foundation website, at http://www.filmpreservation.org.

AAM ELECTS NEW VICE CHAIR AND SEVEN NEW MEMBERS TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The American Association of Museums (AAM) has elected a new vice chair and seven new members-at-large to its Board of Directors, announced during AAM's 2007 Annual Meeting in Chicago. The new vice chair, elected to the 2007-2008 term, is Carl Nold, president and CEO of Historic New England in Boston, Mass. There were six new board members-at-large elected to the 2007-2010 term. Additional information about AAM governance can be found online at http://www.aam-us.org/aboutaam/governance/index.cfm.

UNION PACIFIC FOUNDATION GRANTS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ENRICH COMMUNITY AND ARTS
The Union Pacific Foundation is now accepting applications for its grant program, which seeks to promote organizational effectiveness among nonprofits. The foundation is particularly interested in projects that improve the quality of life in the community (including aquariums, botanical gardens, children's and science museums, and zoos) and create a wider opportunity for the enjoyment of and participation in the visual and performing arts. For complete program guidelines, funding restrictions, and an online application form, visit the Union Pacific website at http://www.up.com/found/grants.shtml.

NORTHERN STATES CONSERVATION CENTER ANNOUNCES ITS JUNE 2007 OFFERINGS
Three classes are being offered by the Northern States Conservation Center, all taking place in June: MS202: Museum Storage Facilities and Furniture; MS210: Integrated Pest Management for Museums, Libraries and Archives; and, MS 003: Building a Better Mousetrap, a new mini-course focusing on mouse control. For dates, prices, instructors and more details, go to: http://www.collectioncare.org/tas/tas.html or http://www.museumclasses.org. Also starting in June, the Center is offering a 10% discount to any person or institution paying for more than one 2007 class. Discounts are also available for CAM members.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR PROTECTING CULTURAL RESOURCES
The National Park Service is now accepting applications for its Preserve America Grants program, which seeks to support communities that have demonstrated a commitment to recognizing, designating, and protecting local cultural resources. Grants are available to assist local economies find self-sustaining ways to promote their cultural resources through heritage tourism. The deadline to apply is June 29. For more information visit http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/hpg/PreserveAmerica/application.htm.

AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF ARTCAST AND ARTSBLOG
Americans for the Arts is proud to announce the launch of two new Americans for the Arts initiatives: ArtCast and ArtsBlog. ArtsBlog is the blog of Americans for the Arts and will feature posts by various staff members of Americans for the Arts as well as outside experts. ArtCast is a monthly podcast produced by Americans for the Arts featuring Robert L. Lynch, President and CEO. ArtCast can be listened to on ArtsBlog was well as on the video and audio section of the Americans for the Arts website at http://www.AmericansForTheArts.org/information_resources/video_audio. Comments and questions on ArtsBlog are both welcomed and encouraged. ArtsBlog can be found online at http://blog.artsusa.org.

AAM ANNOUNCES NEW CULTURAL DIPLOMACY PARTNERSHIP
The American Association of Museums (AAM) has announced a new partnership in cultural diplomacy with the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), called Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad (MCCA). With its focus on reaching beyond museum walls to directly involve communities, MCCA leverages AAM's experience helping museums expose US communities to cultures they might not otherwise have the opportunity to learn about. MCCA museum participants create their own project structure and timeline. Application materials and additional information is online at http://www.aam-us.org/mcca.

REGISTER NOW FOR AMERICANS FOR THE ARTS 2007 CONVENTION, JUNE 1-4
The Americans for the Arts 2007 Convention, Risk and Reward: Balancing Acts in Arts and Community, will be held on June 1 – June 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The convention will host seven preconferences to support close collaboration and connection with colleagues, with convention highlights including the national release of Arts & Economic Prosperity III; the culminating session of the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum Series; the introduction of new recognition awards at the Annual Report and Awards Ceremony; as well as inspiring speakers, ARTventure tours, and evening events. For details and to register, visit http://www.americansforthearts.org/events/2007/convention/default.asp.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS PROMOTING OCEAN AWARENESS
Royal Caribbean Cruises is now accepting applications for its Ocean Fund grant program, which supports efforts to restore and maintain a healthy marine environment, minimize the impact of human activity on this environment, and promote awareness of ocean and coastal issues and respect for marine life. The deadline to submit a funding request is June 30. For details, visit the Ocean Fund website at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ourCompany/environment/oceanFund.do.

CAN HOSTING SECOND EMERGING NONPROFIT ROUNDTABLE ON JUNE 12
The California Association of Nonprofits (CAN) is hosting its second Emerging Nonprofit Professionals roundtable discussion on Tuesday, June 12, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the CAN offices in downtown Los Angeles. The roundtable discussion will begin with the topic of taking time out for oneself as part of professional development and ways to avoid feeling voiceless, stagnant or left behind. In addition, the discussion will touch on key issues such as future in-service trainings, possible mentoring program, and other professional development opportunities and ways that CAN can assist with professional development. CAN welcomes input on other agenda items as well. There is no charge for this event and breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to Tarra McFadden at tmcfadden@CAnonprofits.org by June 5.

FOUNDATION CENTER HOSTS TWO-DAY FUNDING RESEARCH COURSE IN JUNE
The Foundation Center is hosting a two-day course, entitled Foundation Funding Research, on June 14-15 in San Francisco. Participants will develop strategies for finding and evaluating funder prospects through developing a targeted list of prospects. Using top-tier Foundation Directory Online Professional, attendees will find funders who have a proven commitment to programs or projects similar to those in their institutions. For more information or to register, visit http://foundationcenter.org/marketplace/catalog/subcategory_training.jhtml?id=cat50003.

TOURISM CARES CHARITY ANNOUNCES GRANT PROGRAM FOR PRESERVING AND CONSERVING TOURISM SITES
Tourism Cares is now accepting grant applications for its Worldwide Grant Program, which supports worthy tourism-related nonprofit organizations working to preserve, conserve, and restore the world's natural, cultural, and historic treasures. The deadlines to submit letters of inquiry for the next two rounds are June 1 and October 1. Visit the Tourism Cares website for complete program information: http://www.tourismcares.org/Worldwide_Grant_Program.aspx.

ART INTERNSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles County, through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, has given grants totaling $530,000 to 90 performing, literary, media and municipal arts organizations throughout Los Angeles County to support paid internships for college undergraduates in summer 2007. Descriptions of and contacts for the 130 internship positions are posted on the Arts Commission’s website at http://www.lacountyarts.org/internship_positions07.pdf.

NSF OFFERS SCIENCE OF LEARNING GRANTS
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is now accepting grants for its Science of Learning Centers grants, which aim to support large-scale, long-term Centers that create the intellectual, organizational and physical infrastructure needed for the long-term advancement of Science of Learning research. The grant program supports research that harnesses and integrates knowledge across multiple disciplines to create a common groundwork of conceptualization, experimentation and explanation that anchor new lines of thinking and inquiry towards a deeper understanding of learning. The deadline to apply is August 6. For more information, visit http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5567.

AAM PRESENTS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO MUSEUMS
The American Association of Museums (AAM) has awarded Mark A. Ryan, Vice President of Collections and Registration for the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, North Dakota, the 2007 Nancy Hanks Memorial Award for Professional Excellence. The award was presented at the AAM Annual Meeting in Chicago on May 14. The Nancy Hanks Memorial Award for Professional Excellence honors notable accomplishments by a museum professional with less than ten years in the field. The award also recognizes a specific achievement that has benefited either the honoree's home institution or the museum field in general. Visit http://www.aam-us.org/getinvolved/nominate/awards.cfm for more information.

BOARDSOURCE’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN SAN FRANCISCO IN OCTOBER
BoardSource will host its annual conference, Shaping the Next Generation of Governance, on Friday, October 12, and Saturday, October 13, in San Francisco. This conference will help nonprofit leaders prepare boards to provide the leadership needed to prepare for strategic thinking in changing times, integrating the ideas and harnessing the strengths of all generations, identifying and recruiting new leadership, changes in values and views that affect nonprofits, developing and maintaining key relationships, and advocating their cause with confidence. To register, visit http://www.boardsource.org/Workshops.asp?mode=events&ID=14. For program details, see http://www.boardsource.org/Workshops.asp?ID=43#who.

Get the Word Out in CAM e-News!
Please email the CAM office at editor@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.