Tapestry Newsletter | June 6, 2018
ADVOCACY MATTERS - CALL TO ACTION

Pennsylvania's House and Senate returned to session this week with 24 days left until Pennsylvania's budget turns into a pumpkin. The Commonwealth's financial situation is much better than it was last year at this time, and that should give legislators and Governor Tom Wolf some confidence as negotiations continue and election season approaches. Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Scott Wagner resigned from the Pennsylvania Senate last week to campaign full time, and Lt. Gov. Mike Stack announced early this week that there will be no special election to fill Wagner's post representing York County in the Senate. Even with Senator Wagner's seat remaining vacant, the Republican Senate Caucus maintains its 2/3 majority of the chamber.

The Pennsylvania Museum Preservation Act remains in the House State Government Committee awaiting action since it arrived there on January 31, 2018. The House State Government Committee met yesterday morning, and this bill was not on their schedule. To have any hope of getting this legislation to make progress, we need the bill to be discussed before the remaining budget discussions are completed.

Here's How You Can Help!

Please call, email, or send a letter to the House State Government Committee's Chairman Daryl Metcalfe . If your elected member of the House of Representatives is part of the House State Government Committee , please get in touch with them with the same message.

Here's What To Say:

On behalf of the (insert your organization’s name here) I am asking for your support of SB 775, The Pennsylvania Museum Preservation Act. This bill, now referred to the House State Government Committee, will provide of a consistent source of funding to support eligible and accredited museums and historical organizations in Pennsylvania. 
 
(Insert some information about your organization and its impact on your community)
 
Museums and other arts and cultural institutions play an important role in our communities and in the well-being of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. SB 775 provides an efficient, predictable source of funding for museums and community facilities. This would protect thousands of jobs in the tourism industry and would enhance the quality of life throughout the Commonwealth.
 
Thank you for supporting this important bill.
 
Sincerely,
 
Or
 
Tourism is the second largest industry in Pennsylvania. For too long, state funding for museums and cultural facilities has been hit-or-miss and organizations like (insert your organization’s name here) have been struggling to survive.
 
SB 775, the Pennsylvania Museum Preservation Act, would provide a consistent source of funding for museums and other vital community facilities. This means that we can preserve thousands of jobs in tourism - Pennsylvania’s second largest industry – and enhance the quality of life in the state. I ask for your strong support for this legislation when it is considered by the State Government Committee and by the full House.

Sincerely,


Your House members need to hear from you now! Please let us know if you have participated so we can keep track of our effort. Thank you for joining us in the bringing more support behind this bill!
SUPPORT FOR YOUR WORK

There's a new grant program at the PHMC for Historical Archives and Records Care. The application deadline is August 1, 2018.

The National Endowment for the Arts grant program Art Works is designed for museums. The deadline to apply is July 12, 2018. Please click here for guidelines and more information.

Aroha Philanthropies invites museums across the United States to submit proposals to participate in its  Seeding Vitality Arts in Museums initiative, which will fund the development and implementation of high quality, intensive arts learning opportunities for active older adults. The deadline to apply is August 1, 2018.

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

We updated our website with conferences and workshops our members may be interested in attending.

If your work finds you taking care of a historic house, you should check out the Old House Fair in Bellefonte, June 8-9, 2018.

The Pennsylvania Historical Association's Annual Meeting is coming up in October at LancasterHistory.org.


JOB POSTINGS

If your institution has a vacancy, please see our job posting guidelines at the bottom of our jobs page or pass our contact information along to your hiring manager.

MEMBERSHIP

Renewals for institutional members with June expiration dates were mailed in May. We appreciate our members' support, and thanks to those of you who have renewed or plan to renew. Help us end our fiscal year in a strong spot! If you have any questions about your membership or would like to join PA Museums, please feel free to contact us.

RECOMMENDED

Leadership Matters (blog) published the first results of their recent survey about Gender Equity in Museums.

We are not sure what to make of this, but if you like museums, the Civil War, cats, or dioramas, this could be right up your alley.

The PHMC's Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO) completed its statewide plan for historic preservation.
PA MUSEUMS IN THE NEWS

Our condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and admirers of Barbara Luderowski, founder of the Mattress Factory Museum.

Here's the latest from Philly.com on USA250.

Old Economy Village plays a big role in Ambridge's Historic District.

Philadelphia's Please Touch Museum has a new brand and a new website coming soon.

WESA radio sat down with John McNulty to talk about the origins of Lewis and Clark's historic expedition in Pittsburgh.

The Museum of the American Revolution will open Revolution Place, an immersive play area, this Saturday.

In Johnstown, Richard Burkert of the Johnstown Area Heritage Association was front and center to talk flood history with CBS affiliate WTAJ.

Pennlive featured a roundup of ten "must see" seasonal museums in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in Washington is rolling along with a newly restored car and a plan to expand.
PA Museums | 717-909-4951 | rusty.baker@pamuseums.org | pamuseums.org