About CAM


CAM’s vision is “Stronger Museums for a Stronger California”. Our role in realizing this vision is to unify and strengthen California museums to expand their collective impact. CAM is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic direction and oversight. 



To support the success of California museums and their communities, our key programs and services include: professional development programs, including an annual conference and regional workshops that address best practices and trends; CAM eNews, which is distributed every two weeks to thousands of subscribers; studies and reports; an active advocacy program that monitors legislation and spearheads strategic initiatives to support funding sources; and special initiatives that promote provide leadership in important issues affecting the field. Much of CAM’s work is led by Member Committees that actively involve members of the association. 

CAM supports over 1200 individual, business and institutional members within our association. Our institutional members are located throughout the state of California and range in size, scope, and discipline. They include historical societies, cultural centers, art museums, botanical gardens, science centers, tribal museums, zoos, aquariums, and children’s museums. Our business members assist the museum field in various ways and can be found organized by service type in our Business Directory

We work collaboratively with many statewide and national partners to achieve shared goals, including the California Arts Council, California State Parks, California Humanities, the California State Library, California Natural Resources Agency, the California Department of Education, the California Preservation Program, Exhibit Envoy, the Western Museums Association, the American Association of Museums, and the Association for State and Local History.

In January 2021, CAM's Board of Directors approved a Racial Equity Statement and workplan to outline our commitment and actions to foster a culture of anti-racism and inclusion. Read the Statement

CAM has joined the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and other national, regional, and state museum associations in denouncing the violent and racist actions on January 6, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol. Read the Statement

In November 2021, CAM's Board of Directors approved an Equity Action Plan to better serve underrepresented groups within the museum field and to support museums in their efforts to become equitable. Review the Plan

See staff webpage for contact information. For the appropriate shipping address, please contact Michelle at [email protected].

We submit an annual report to our membership on our programs, financial health, and new initiatives.

2020–21 Financial Report
2019 Form 990
2019–20 Financial Report
2018 Form 990
2018–19 Financial Report
2017 Form 990
2017–18 Financial Report
2016 Form 990
2016–17 Financial Report
2015 Form 990
2015–16 Financial Report 

Subscribe to receive bi-weekly updates! CAM members receive the full version of CAM eNews, with announcements, professional development and funding opportunities, job postings, news articles, and special resources relevant to the California museum community. Non-members will receive CAM Updates, a shorter newsletter with announcements and membership information.

CAM is supported in part by grants from the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. To learn more about the arts in California, the Arts License Plate, and other initiatives for the arts in California, please visit the CAC Website.