Legislative News

Why does CAM support the creation of a federal formula grant program for museums?

A Congressional commitment to establishing a federal formula grant system for museums will be a dynamic step in recognizing and supporting the essential role of museums within the cultural and educational fabric of our nation. It is CAM's position that a model federal formula grant program should:

• Provide a NEW funding opportunity for all types of museums, small and large, from art museums to zoos. The coalition's goal is to significantly increase museum funding, NOT to replace any existing IMLS programs or other federal funding opportunities.
• Regrant these funds to museums through a competitive, peer-reviewed grant process that awards best practices and builds the capacity of each state's museums, administered through a state agency or commission. Effective museum funding programs in some states could serve as models for others. As a matter of fact, a recent study revealed that at least 12 states already have a state agency or commission that administers grants specifically for museums--100% of which are awarded through competitive processes.
• Address each state’s unique challenges and opportunities by creating and articulating a statewide five-year strategic plan, with input and buy-in from a broad spectrum of the museum field. The funding needs of museums in Florida, Virginia, or Michigan are different than in California.
• Leverage matching state and, possibly, local funds for museums while supporting existing programs or agencies. According to some museum advocates, a federal formula grant program could help maintain a state's current level of funding for museums since a maintenance of effort should be required to receive federal monies.
• Enable state and federal governments to gather data on museums and monitor their progress over time on an unprecedented level - we will be able to demonstrate more than ever the true impact the nation's museums collectively have on our country and become stronger advocates for all levels of funding.

Who is supporting this advocacy effort?

Service organizations representing museums at the state, regional, and national level have joined forces to seek reauthorizing legislation for IMLS in 2009 that includes federal formula grants for museums. Through collaboration, museum service providers formed the Federal Formula Grant Coalition to act as the governing body for future legislation presented to Congress, with the American Association for State and Local History serving as the Coalition Administrator. CAM became a member of this coalition in May 2006 and has been an active member. To see a current list of the Federal Formula Grant Coalition members, see http://www.aaslh.org/documents/CoalitionMembers.doc. The Federal Formula Grant Coalition retained the services of a Washington-based lobbying firm, Washington Strategies, in late Spring 2007, to both inform and represent the coalition’s interests. Additional information about the Federal Formula Grant Coalition can be found on the American Association for State and Local History’s website at http://www.aaslh.org/htopics.htm.

Why use libraries as a model for a federal formula grant program for museums? 

In 1956, Congress wisely invested in America’s libraries by creating a formula grant program (see http://www.imls.gov/programs/programs.shtm). By providing federal funding and leveraging state and local funding, this program has built a strong and sustainable system of support for American libraries. Over time, this investment has enhanced professionalism, built programming, and helped our libraries keep up with technological change. Although there are other federal formula programs for the arts (http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/Partnership/states.html), humanities (http://www.neh.gov/news/report99/state.htm), and historic preservation (http://www.achp.gov/overview.html), there is no program for museums similar to the one that provides ongoing public support to libraries, the arts, and the humanities. With the reauthorization of IMLS in 2009, Congress has the opportunity to replicate a model that already exists in IMLS' authorizing legislation and positively shape the future of the nation’s museums by establishing a federal formula grant program for museums.

How is CAM getting the word out about its vision for a federal formula grant program for museums?

In October and November 2007, CAM included a two-part feature in CAM e-News about the nationwide effort to establish a federal formula grant program for museums (see http://www.calmuseums.org/e-news/editions/2007-10-24.html and http://www.calmuseums.org/e-news/editions/2007-11-07.html).

On Friday, March 14, 2008, two members of the CAM Board of Directors testified at an IMLS hearing on museum funding at the Oakland Museum of California. Two members of the CAM Board of Directors and the Legislative Committee were presenters, in addition to other museum representatives from the Bay Area: 

• Representing the perspective of the Federal Formula Grant Coalition, Phil Kohlmetz, Executive Director of the Western Railway Museum in Suisun City, testified about the coalition's goals and his personal experience as a museum director in rural California. (See http://www.calmuseums.org/news/IMLS_HearingTestimony_PhilKohlmetz.pdf.)
• William Moreno, Executive Director of the Claremont Museum of Art in Claremont, presented data and findings from CAM's 2006 California Museums Survey and the Museum Advocacy Summits in Fall 2007. (See http://www.calmuseums.org/news/IMLS_HearingTestimony_WilliamMoreno.pdf.)

A variety of perspectives were expressed at this hearing and a broad spectrum of ideas presented for the consideration of the members of the National Museum and Library Services Board present and Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice, the Director of IMLS.