Valdez, Alaska, February 25, 2021: For more than a decade Museums Advocacy Day (MAD) has been held in Washington, D.C. and hosted by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM.) It brings together museum professionals from around the country for the purpose of strengthening ties with their Congressional delegations and garnering support for the important work museums do in communities nationwide.
AAM believes this important annual event is of primary importance, as many museums across the country remain in dire situations, impacted by COVID closures and repercussions from the pandemic. A statement from its website encourages participation in MAD: “We must keep making our case to Congress. Legislators do not know how their decisions affect museums if they don’t hear directly from you—the museums and people they represent”
This year MAD took place Feb. 22-23 using an online platform, but the virtual event was equally as robust as those held “in person” according to Patricia Relay, Executive Director of the Valdez Museum & Historical Archive: “With every challenge comes an opportunity. This year we are 600 strong; that’s 300 more than in person. I am feeling hopeful and bold as we make a case for museums.”
Relay participated in several advocacy and other types of trainings on the first day. On day two she joined museum colleagues from around Alaska for sessions with members of Alaska’s Congressional delegation. After meeting with Senator Lisa Murkowski, she commented: “The Senator’s continued support for museums around the state and for museums like the Valdez Museum is so important during this difficult time. Museums are not only vital educational institutions, but we are also economic engines. Museums have been hit hard by the pandemic. We need to make sure that museums are included in stimulus funding so we can play that role again.”
And she offers thanks to the American Alliance of Museums for “adapting and making Museums Advocacy Day 2021 happen.”
For More Information Contact:
Executive Director Patricia Relay
Tel. 907-835-2764, Email: prelay@valdezmuseum.org