CALIFORNIA MUSEUMS MONTH

MEET WITH ONE STATE LEGISLATOR THIS MAY FOR MUSEUMS MONTH!

We invite you to join CAM in recognizing the positive impact museums make on communities by participating in California Museums Month. We have many resources and tools to make your participation in California Museums Month easy and effective. 

For over ten years, CAM has celebrated May as California Museums Month. This is a perfect opportunity to invite your Assembly member or Senator to your museum to observe a school group, tour an exhibition, participate in a public program, or get a behind-the-scenes tour of the collections.

The need is tremendous: a large percentage of State legislators are newly elected, the Legislature is considering statewide reforms to balance the budget, and many in state office may be future Members of Congress. CAM has communicated with all legislators and meets with Capitol leadership to convey how museums benefit California’s citizens and contribute to a healthy, thriving state. But only museums can reinforce these messages with real experiences and demonstrate first-hand the impact on a legislator’s district.

2011 MUSEUMS ADVOCACY DAY RECAP

In 2011, we asked every CAM institutional member to invite one assemblymember or senator to a museum to demonstrate that museums matter. As encouragement, and to tap into competitive natures, CAM entered every institutional member who participated in a $500 cash giveaway. CLICK HERE to see the photos and stories submitted

2010 MUSEUMS ADVOCACY DAY RECAP

California Museums Advocacy Day took place in early May in Sacramento with museum representatives from across the state. Our advocates sent the message that museums are unique and valuable to the state’s citizens and communities. The California Museums Advocacy Day Toolkit (pdf, 8 MB) is available online, which includes briefs on: two bills that would increase funding for the California Arts Council, a bill that would help protect archaeological and historic sites, and CAM's positions on museums and their role in economic stimulus, bonds, and green policies. At a reception on the West Steps Lawn of State Capitol, with many of our state agency partners in attendance, CAM presented Assemblymember Anthony Portantino (D-La Canada Flintridge) with the 2010 President's Award. The Assemblymember, who Chairs the Committee on Revenue and Taxation, was recognized for his support of arts and culture across the state, as well as museums in his district. See photographs from Advocacy Day 2010.

2009 MUSEUMS ADVOCACY DAY RECAP

California museums had a presence in the offices of our elected officials on May 5, 2009 as museum advocates and professionals from museums across the state met to discuss legislative issues and demonstrate how museums are centers for learning that create stronger communities. Collectively, our participants visited 40% of the offices at the State Legislature! The day also featured a fun Museum Activities Fair with engaging educational activities from art, history, and science museums. The Museum Activities Fair also got coverage on a local television station. Senator Leland Yee, Assistant President pro Tem of the California State Senate, sponsored a 2009 resolution naming May California Museums Month. See photographs from Advocacy Day 2009.

2008 MUSEUMS ADVOCACY DAY RECAP

In 2008, a resolution was authored by Republican Leader Assemblymember Mike Villines, which attracted 69 co-authors (88% of the California State Assembly). Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued proclamations to show his support for the states museums. See photographs from Advocacy Day 2008.