ADVOCACY RESOURCES

TEMPLATE ELECTION CONGRATULATIONS LETTERS

Letter templates for your local, state, and national election winners. Thank you to Patty Relay from the Valdez Museum for providing these templates.

KNOW THE STEPS

The American Alliance of Museums suggest that you "Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum" in order to show Congress how essential museums are to their communities.

1. Find out who represents you in Congress.
2. Send a letter to invite them for a visit.
3. Call the local office to find the name of the scheduler and call or email to follow up.
4. Continue following up until a meeting can be set up.
5. See the AAM “How to” prepare guide with what to do before, during, and after the visit.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

When advocating, use statistics and facts to help support your claims. Consider creating a one-page fact sheet listing your annual visitation, visitor statistics, mission, annual programs and events and their community impact. You can also use Museums Alaska’s economic impact survey results to help create a bigger picture for museums and cultural institutions in our state.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Two new groundbreaking reports from the American Alliance of Museums reveal indisputable evidence that museums contribute more to the United States economy than previously thought and have widespread public support that transcends political affiliations and geographic locations.

• Learn more about AAM’s recently completed studies and reports.
  
• Learn more about who represents you in Congress.
  

WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER

Advocacy can be more effective and so much more fun when you work with another organization. Find a local partner to help you share the load or reach out to an industry partner:

• Alaska Tourism Industry Association
  
• Alaska Library Association
  
• Alaska State Council on the Arts
  
• Alaska Humanities Forum
  
• Alaska Historical Society
• Alaska Anthropological Association

KNOW WHAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING FOR OR AGAINST

Learn about the policy issues affecting museums at both the national and state level to help in your advocacy efforts.

National policy issues can be found through the AAM Advocacy web-site.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Association of Art Museum Directors advocacy page
  
• Association of Science-Technology Centers advocacy page
  
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums legislative education page
  
• The Foraker Group website
  
• Western Museums Association advocacy page
• Small Museums Association Advocacy 101
  
• Resources from the American Alliance of Museums