FEBRUARY 22, 2023, COLUMBIA, MO – The Missouri Association for Museums and Archives supports the efforts of hundreds of museum advocates traveling to Capitol Hill on February 27-28 to petition our government and make the case for museums.

On February 27-28, hundreds of museum professionals, and supporters from across the country will be meeting with members of Congress and their staffs to make the case for federal support of America’s museums. Advocates are participating in the 15th annual Museums Advocacy Day, organized by the American Alliance of Museums, taking place in Washington, D.C.

Prior to the pandemic, museums supported more than 726,000 American jobs and contributed $50 billion annually to the U.S. economy. The economic activity of museums generates more than $12 billion in annual tax revenue, with one-third of it going to state and local governments. Each job created by the museum sector results in $16,495 in additional tax revenue.

Congress faces a vast list of policy issues, many of which can have a lasting impact on museums. Among other issues, museum advocates will urge Congress to increase funding for federal agencies that help museums serve their communities in essential ways, such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, enact legislation to increase charitable giving, and support museums’ important and expanding role in education.

“In order for Missouri’s museums to continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic, we have to ensure that legislation at the federal level provides a level playing field in terms of the tax code and federal funding,” said MAMA president, Christopher Alan Gordon. “The Missouri Association for Museums and Archives is proud to be a partner in Museums Advocacy Day 2023 in service of the museum field, and advocate for the enormous and critical positive impact museums have on our country and our communities. Missouri’s congressional representatives need to hear from constituents about how Missouri’s museums serve their community.”

“Museums are essential to our country, as part of our educational infrastructure, as economic engines, and as community anchors,” said Alliance president and CEO Laura L. Lott. “From addressing students' learning loss during the pandemic to supporting community members' mental health needs to addressing the climate crisis, museums continue to demonstrate the many ways they are vital to their communities and to helping society navigate many of our most pressing issues.”

Learn more about Museums Advocacy Day 2023 by visiting: aam-us.org/museums-advocacy

About Missouri Association for Museums and Archives:

The purpose of MAMA is to encourage communication, cooperation and collaboration among museums, archives, historical societies, libraries and all persons who desire to affiliate with these organizations in the State of Missouri. MAMA provides members of the state's historical and cultural communities with various opportunities to gain access to resources, share expertise, attend workshops, and to network with colleagues from other institutions.

About the American Alliance of Museums:

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, we have been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward.

Our Alliance of 35,000 museums and museum professionals seeks to better our communities, and our world, through collaborative human-centered experiences, education, and connection to histories, cultures, the natural world, and one another. Our members spark curiosity and wonder, widen horizons and understanding, and create community connection through a shared commitment to equity and learning.

For more information on Missouri Association for Museums and Archives, visit https://missourimuseums.org/.  For more information on the American Alliance of Museums, and the impact museums have in their communities nationally, visit www.aam-us.org.

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