October 28, 2020

ADVOCACY

There is still little to report about how Pennsylvania's lawmakers are approaching the remaining work of completing this year's budget. We will still be watching for Pennsylvania budget developments, and it's more likely the legislature will wait until after the elections to work on the budget. That approach buys them time to assess what the Commonwealth's financial situation is and keeps the budget issue out of the elections ahead. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star published this article last week that summarizes what the possibilities are, and the Associated Press reported similar findings in this article with comments from some of the key players. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's lawmakers will also determine how to use remaining CARES Act funding, $1.3 billion, as reported here in the Morning Call.


The American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is organizing a Museum Advocacy Day for 2021. Please save the dates, Feb. 22-23, 2021. Advocating in support of museums in February 2021 may look different than in past years, but is no less important or impactful. Following the elections and with the convening of the 117th Congress, we must be prepared to make our voices heard.

PA MUSEUMS 2021 STATEWIDE MUSEUM CONFERENCE - A CALL FOR SESSION PROPOSALS - DEADLINE EXTENDED

Service in Uncertainty, PA Museums’ 2021 Annual Statewide Museum Conference, April 18-20, 2021

As we look to 2021, and to the more distant future, we know there will be more obstacles to navigate and more changes to come. With new tools and discoveries, visitor expectations shift. People who work in museums – staff, trustees, volunteers, interns, donors, and contractors – bring with them a level of devotion and a willingness to put the museum and its future first. Still, service is central to our museum missions.

PA Museums’ 2021 Annual Statewide Museum Conference will foster discussion around this broad theme, and we invite session proposals that relate to the value of service.

The deadline to submit session proposals has been extended to November 6, 2020. Please email proposals to Chrisoula Randas Perdziola, Program Specialist.

MEMBERSHIP

The Academy of Natural Sciences is looking for a Director of Learning. If your organization has an opening, please send it our way.

Membership Consultants' annual Pulse of Membership Survey is open now. (Take the survey here www.surveymonkey.com/r/PulseMY2020). The stats so far say this:
52% of respondents say they have seen a decrease in renewal rates
21% have seen an increase in renewal rates
27% say their renewal rates have stayed the same

PA Museums' membership includes institutions, businesses that work with museums, and individuals. Our association has advocated for museums and served our membership since 1905. We invite you to join PA Museums today Thank you for being a part of PA Museums.

PA MUSEUMS IN THE NEWS

6ABC in Philadelphia covered the National Museum of American Jewish History's plans to honor Harry Houdini and David Copperfield.


Some Pennsylvania counties distributed CARES Act relief funding to nonprofits, including museums. Here are stories from Crawford and Dauphin Counties.

The Post-Gazette featured the Italian Gallery at the Frick.

ABC27 explore history around Chickies Rock in Lancaster County.

Eric Lidji of the Senator John Heinz History Center reflected on the Tree of Life shooting in Forward.
DEADLINE EXTENDED - CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL SUPPORT GRANTS

The deadline to apply for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's Cultural and Historical Support Grants has been extended to November 2 at 5 p.m. Eligibility guidelines and application instructions can be found here.
RECOMMENDED

The Pittsburgh Foundation released a report of how COVID-19 has impacted Pennsylvania nonprofits.

The Association of Art Museum Directors published their annual salary survey.

The New York Times reported that Europe's museums are open but empty.