Hello museum enthusiasts,

We hope everyone is enjoying these warmer, longer days ushering in Spring!

This time of year is often associated with change and in our lives today we can see our world changing on a daily basis. One recent change that the City of Lake Forest Park implemented is through Resolution 25-2009, "affirming it's commitment to ensure that all individuals regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression, feel safe and supported". One of the great strengths of museums is the ability to preserve history in the making, such as this resolution, and provide answers from the past about why statements like these can be so important.

In recent days, the ability for organizations like ours to continue these services has been questioned with the purging of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities, resulting in millions of dollars in funds for arts and culture cancelled. All staff have been put on leave, awarded grants have been canceled. This renders these agency's unable to provide essential resources that support thousands of organizations like ours across the country.

The American Alliance of Museums has a variety of suggestions of how you can support museums and libraries here. Whether you are reaching out to your members of congress or gathering with community, there are many ways you can voice your support! Thanks to our dedicated Museum community, 4Culture, and the cities of Shoreline and Lake Forest Park, our funding is not directly dependent on these services, yet we feel and stand with the field as a whole.

While all of the changes and developments we experience may be overwhelming, remember that we at the Museum work every day to create a welcoming space for everyone, where people can feel comfortable yet challenge their own ideas and perceptions through the lens of history.

Be sure to check out below all the great things we have going on and what other organizations are doing throughout the community.

From everyone here at the Museum, have a great month! 

Roger Fernandes in the Artist Studio!

Mark your calendars to come out and say hi to Roger Fernandes at the Burke Museum's Artist Studio on April 26th, 10am-5pm!

Roger is a talented and fantastic member of our community who carved the Miyawaki Forest Welcome Stone and told some wonderful stories at two of our events last year!

Check back on the Burke Museum's website for additional information coming soon.