September 30, 2025 This page will continue to be updated as new information becomes available Federal government shutdowns have significant consequences for workers, local economies, and the institutions that safeguard our nation’s history and culture. During past government shutdowns, thousands of furloughed federal workers, including staff at the National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery […]| American Alliance of Museums
Maybe you’ve heard the quote “the only constant is change,” which I believe is true. Change is always happening, so much so that life and work often feel more topsy-turvy than constant. For a while, the constant change we lived with was in reimagining our post-pandemic life and work. While many of us have settled […]| American Alliance of Museums
This visual Data Story is based on findings from the 2025 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers, a national survey of American museum visitors from AAM and Wilkening Consulting. Every year, the survey partners with individual museums to research their audiences and yield insights about their behaviors and preferences, both on an institutional and national level. (Learn […]| American Alliance of Museums
As Elizabeth Merritt outlines in this year’s edition of TrendsWatch, volunteering in the United States is in a funk. Participation rates have slumped for decades, and the COVID-19 pandemic brought even sharper declines. Whether you blame delayed retirements, busier schedules, or growing wealth inequality, the numbers paint a gloomy picture for the future of a […]| American Alliance of Museums
Museums are increasingly confronted with difficult choices about whether and when to take a public stand regarding current events and emerging challenges. How can directors work with boards and staff to make thoughtful decisions about issuing statements or taking concrete action? How do mission and values guide when a museum speaks out? The Japanese American […]| American Alliance of Museums
No matter what type of museum you work in, properly managing the institution’s collection is a core function—and a monumental undertaking. In museum collections, our world’s most invaluable objects are not only publicly accessible but actively defended from the forces of decay that would otherwise befall them. Thanks to the tireless efforts of generations of […]| American Alliance of Museums
Museums strive to be permanent institutions that make cultural objects accessible for the benefit of society. Does this mission imply that museum collections must also be permanent, or can objects be transient? When is it acceptable to remove objects from museum ownership? And who decides? This Point of View originally appeared in the Sept/Oct 2025 issue of […]| American Alliance of Museums
When asked to teach a museum administration class about collections management, Melanie Deer centered the discussion on the 10 Agents of Deterioration (10 Agents), which focus heavily on the traditional “preservation forever” approach. She mentioned culturally based care and then said, “but that’s another discussion.” That weekend she asked herself, “Why? Why should it be […]| American Alliance of Museums
Environmental sustainability is an urgent global priority, and cultural institutions are striving to do their part. Many are exploring greener practices, including reducing energy use and waste and adopting more sustainable transportation methods. In 2023, the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) endorsed the updated Bizot Green Protocol, […]| American Alliance of Museums
A new study examines the relationship between energy, carbon, and T/RH parameters in collecting institutions. As part of their mission-driven work, museums are committed to protecting and preservin…| American Alliance of Museums
Effective advocacy is not a “one and done” activity. It is a continuous process, rather than something you do only when an issue is urgent. Join Brandy Dillingham, AAM’s Director of Adv…| American Alliance of Museums
This visual Data Story is based on findings from the 2025 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers, a national survey of American museum visitors from AAM and Wilkening Consulting. Every year, the survey part…| American Alliance of Museums
Advocacy Alert – September 12, 2025 In this Alliance Advocacy Alert: Updates and Take Action: Federal funding for IMLS and other agencies Skill-building: Upcoming advocacy training webinar FY…| American Alliance of Museums
Join Cecelia Walls, Assistant Director, Learning Content & Operations, Adrienne F. Reid, CIC, Senior Vice President at Huntington T. Block Insurance, and Carli Helfer, Account Ex…| American Alliance of Museums
Large swathes of the US have been under heat advisories this summer, putting up to 174 million people at risk. From Phoenix to Boston, St. Louis to Tampa, cities are scrambling to provide emergency…| American Alliance of Museums
For Immediate Release Rhode Island–Today, after months of coordinated preparation, AAM and a broad coalition of leading library, museum, and cultural organizations, along with the nation’s la…| American Alliance of Museums
Signal boosting the current call for proposals for AAM 2026. I almost typed 2206 there, which would be apt, as next year’s theme—The Museum Odyssey—is shaped around museums and time. I’m in love wi…| American Alliance of Museums
Your voice matters. Members of Congress carefully consider input from their constituents when making policy decisions and casting votes. See recent calls-to-action and stay up-to-date on opportunit…| American Alliance of Museums
Recent Executive Orders are having profound effects on communities, organizations, and museums. We know this brings uncertainty, and we’re here to help by providing updates and resources. We …| American Alliance of Museums
Museums play an essential role in cultural and social life across the US. They tell our stories, preserve our heritage, interpret the past, and explore the future. In this way, museums enrich our l…| American Alliance of Museums
For Immediate Release Arlington, VA–Today, the American Alliance of Museums, the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum field, issued a statement in response to the gro…| American Alliance of Museums
Advocacy Alert – August 8, 2025 In this Alliance Advocacy Alert: Take Action: Tell Congress to Protect Museum Funding Hone Your Skills: Year-Round Advocacy Invite Congress is Underway Advocac…| American Alliance of Museums
For Immediate Release Arlington, VA – The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community, today announced 8 first time accredit…| American Alliance of Museums
This is a recorded session from the 2025 AAM Annual Meeting & MuseumExpo. Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. AI is used to generate marketing graphics, design websites, curate exhibi…| American Alliance of Museums
I love finding examples of museums that use their resources to boost the fortunes of makers, craftspeople and local businesses. The California Indian Museum and Cultural Center fostering Native-led…| American Alliance of Museums
Jump to: About Invite Congress Why Officially Sign Up How-To Guide Key Tips and Advice for your Meetings or Visits Sample Timeline for Visits Additional Information and Resources About Invite Congr…| American Alliance of Museums
Engaging your museum’s supporters and the public in museum advocacy can be a critical way to share the impacts recent Executive Orders have had on the museum field and garner support for your museu…| American Alliance of Museums
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Charitable giving may fluctuate year to year, tourism ebbs and flows, your museum’s endowment will perform better some years than others. That’s normal and expected, and nonprofits have traditional…| American Alliance of Museums
Welcome to part three of my exploration of the current and potential future impacts of presidential orders and actions on museums’ income streams and business models. If you’re joining midstream, y…| American Alliance of Museums
Advocacy Alert – June 13, 2025 In this Alliance Advocacy Alert: Invite Congress: Sign Up to Show Congress Firsthand the Value of Your Museum Act Now: Grow Congressional Support for Museums Ta…| American Alliance of Museums
Advocacy Alert: June 10, 2025 ALA v. Sonderling On June 6, 2025, in the case ALA v. Sonderling filed by Democracy Forward on behalf of the American Library Association and the American Federation o…| American Alliance of Museums
This is the second installment in a series of essays exploring the impact of executive orders and actions on museum income streams. It summarizes what we know about the immediate, accumulating effe…| American Alliance of Museums
State and federal lawmakers are in their home districts periodically throughout the year to connect and hear from their constituents. In this recorded webinar, learn about various ways you can enga…| American Alliance of Museums
March 26, 2025 In this Alliance Advocacy Alert: IMLS Update Actions You Can Take Now Other Legislative Updates Advocacy Tip of the Month IMLS Update As a follow up to last week’s Advocacy Alert, we…| American Alliance of Museums
Watch: The World is Better Because of Museums Museums and the COVID-19 Pandemic The pandemic has inflicted profound damage on US museums, the vast majority of which are 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitab…| American Alliance of Museums