New York State Museum Study Now Available

The New York Study of Public and Private Museums—the first comprehensive statewide study of New York's museum sector—is now available.

Prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development, the Study identified nearly 1,200 chartered museums across New York.  

MANY is proud to announce the publication of this resource in partnership with legislator Didi Barrett 

[PR link]

Together, they - MANY's members -  welcome more than 47 million visitors annually, employ more than 33,000 people, engage more than 50,000 volunteers, and serve nearly 3 million K–12 students through field trips each year.  Some 96% of New Yorkers consider museums educational assets in their communities, and museums rank alongside public libraries as New Yorkers' most trusted public sources of information.

[Read the New York Study of Public and Private Museums]

The Study documents the significant challenges museums across the state face.  The data shows: 

• Fifty-seven percent of museums in New York State operate on less than $100,000 annually, 

• 60% have no full-time employees, 

• and one-third rely entirely on volunteers.  

• Collectively, museums report an estimated $1.7 billion in deferred maintenance and preservation needs.

The Study represents years of advocacy by The Museum Association of New York, museum professionals, and legislative partners.  In 2022, the New York State Legislature passed the Museum Study Act, championed by Assemblymember Didi Barrett and Senator Jeremy Cooney.  The 2023–24 New York State Budget subsequently included $1 million to undertake the Study.  We are proud to announce the study with Assemblymember Barrett. [LINK] 

Completing this work required sustained attention through a period of profound instability.  In spring 2025, sudden federal funding cuts disrupted museums and cultural organizations across New York. The need in our communities had not diminished—only the resources available to meet it.  The small, community-rooted, and already under-resourced museums the Study was designed to identify and better understand were among those most vulnerable to these losses. 

Even as MANY navigated this wider upheaval and significant disruption within the organization itself, we continued working with state leaders and project partners to support the Study's completion and preserve its promise as a resource for the field.  Museums committed time and resources to continue providing meaningful responses to ensure wide and accurate representation, 

The resulting report establishes an essential statewide baseline.  It offers recommendations to make funding more accessible, expand facilities and preservation support, increase access to professional development and technical assistance, and address the distinct needs of small and volunteer-run museums.

Publication is not the conclusion of this work.  As the 2027 legislative session approaches, MANY will work with members and partners to translate the findings into stronger public policy, more equitable investment, and practical systems of support.  We will also help museums use the data in their own planning, advocacy, and conversations with elected officials, funders, trustees, and community partners. 

New York's museums are among the state's greatest strengths.  This Study makes their contributions visible, documents the challenges they face, and gives us a shared foundation for action.

[PRESS RELEASE]

[Read the full Study]

   

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2026

CONTACT:  Gunnar Wordon (845)-750-3589 / wordong@nyassembly.gov

***Press Release***

Assemblymember Barrett, The Museum Association of New York Announce Museum Study Completion, Need for Additional State Support

Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D- Dutchess/Columbia) and The Museum Association of New York (MANY) announced the release of the New York Study of Public and Private Museums, the first comprehensive statewide study of New York's museum sector.  This study shows that New York's nearly 1,200 chartered museums – including art and history museums, children's museums, zoos and aquariums, historic sites and historical societies, and botanical gardens – serve more than 47 million visitors a year. Some 96% of New Yorkers consider museums to be educational assets in their communities, and museums rank among New Yorkers' most trusted public information sources. 

The study, authorized by legislation championed by Assemblymember Barrett, was prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development and conducted a comprehensive census of public and private museums across New York State, examining their operating conditions, characteristics, attendance levels, and the challenges they face. 

Museums across the state collectively employ more than 33,000 people, engage more than 50,000 volunteers, welcome nearly 3 million K-12 students on field trips each year, and care for unique collections and facilities that preserve New York's extraordinary history, art, culture, science, and natural heritage.  The findings also challenge assumptions about the scale and resources of New York's museum sector:

•  57% of museums operate on less than $100,000 a year. 

• 60% have no full-time employees.

• One-third rely exclusively on volunteers.

• Collectively, museums report an estimated $1.7 billion in deferred maintenance and preservation needs. 

These findings establish a statewide baseline for understanding and supporting New York's museum sector and make it clear that strengthening New York's museums will require not only additional investment, but systems of support designed around the realities of institutions of different sizes and capacities. 

Explicit recommendations from the authors include:

•  Making funding more accessible to small and volunteer-run museums 

• Expanding capital preservation, and facilities support

• Increasing access to professional development and technical assistance

• Helping museums address collections stewardship, emergency preparedness, accessibility, and long-term planning. 

"When we first called for this study, we knew New York needed a clearer understanding of the museums serving communities across our state," said Assemblymember Barrett.  "Now we have an unprecedented picture of one of New York's great strengths. Our museums are a diverse ecosystem of nearly 1,200 deeply rooted community organizations, sustained by dedicated professionals and volunteers.  New Yorkers have made clear how deeply they value museums in their communities, and now we have the data to understand both the extraordinary role these institutions play and the challenges they face."  

"This is a critical juncture to make investments that ensure museums in every region of our state have the resources they need to continue serving their communities.  This is the first meaningful data following last year's devastating cuts to federal support for arts and culture. We had the foresight to undertake this work and we are now positioned to act. At a consequential moment for museums and cultural institutions across the country, New York has an opportunity to lead." 

"Museums Make New York, New York," said Sarah Van Anden, Executive Director of The Museum Association of New York. "They preserve the histories and collections of our communities, educate millions of children and adults, contribute to local economies, and provide trusted places where New Yorkers learn, encounter new ideas and perspectives, and experience civic and cultural belonging.” 

“This study makes clear that the strength of New York's museum ecosystem extends far beyond our largest and most recognizable institutions. Most of New York's museums are small, local organizations sustained by dedicated staff and volunteers, often working with very limited resources. For the first time, we have a shared statewide picture of this ecosystem's dynamism and what it takes to sustain it.  Our opportunity now is to use that knowledge to bring institutions, policymakers, funders, and communities together around the investment and stronger statewide systems that will allow New York's museums — and the communities they serve — to thrive for generations.”

Assemblymember Barrett and MANY will continue working with the museums, state agencies, policymakers, funders, and other partners to translate the study findings into action, strengthen statewide systems of support, and ensure that museums of every discipline, budget size, and region can continue serving New Yorkers.  

The New York Study of Public and Private Museums, prepared by Wilkening Consulting for Empire State Development, can be found here. 

 

Please plan to join us for this year's Arts Rally in Albany on Wednesday, March 25. 

12 noon - 1 pm 4th Floor Senate Lobby Capitol Building

Preceded and Followed by Office Meetings with our Senators and Assembly Members.

Please fill out this form to express interest in attending the rally and lobby day, so you'll be on the email list for rally info and lobbying meeting updates.

On February 25, 2026, MANY submitted written testimony to the State Legislature's Joint Budget Hearing as part of the annual budget negotiations in Albany. 

We joined peers across the state in calling for $210 million in funding for the New York State Council on the Arts in the upcoming State Budget. 

• including $100 million for localities
• $100 million for capital projects, 
• and $10 million for the much-needed reserve fund program.

A PDF of the full testimony is included here. 

MANY Testimony 2026.2.25 pdf

Executive Director, Sarah Van Anden participated in Arts Day 2026, a joint forum to discuss the importance of the Arts and Cultural Sector throughout New York State.

Hosted by Senator José M. Serrano (Chairman, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation) and Assemblyman Ron Kim (Chairman, Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development). 

The Public Event Agenda

Below are portions of Van Anden's statements: 

Good morning.  I'm Sarah Van Anden, Executive Director of The Museum Association of New York, representing more than 750 museums across our state — from small, volunteer-run historical societies to world-renowned art, science, and cultural institutions.  New York is home to the greatest concentration and diversity of cultural organizations in the country.  This uniquely globally-admired ecosystem reflects the curiosity, creativity, and excellence that define who we are.

When people picture museums, they often picture New York City.  But 88% of our members are outside the five boroughs   (The recent study of the field identified as many as 2,500 self-identified nonprofit museums across the state)

From the Great Lakes to Long Island Sound, from remote "forever wild” communities to the urban heart of a megacity, there are museums in all 62 counties (with annual budgets ranging from <$10,000 to >$300 million, and staff sizes ranging from 1 to over 2,000)

In these communities, museums are trusted, place-based civic institutions and centers of learning.

• They present globally admired exhibitions.
• They publish original research.
• They preserve irreplaceable histories and collections.
• They foster creative public engagement and dialogue.
• They host countless nonprofit partners, public programs, and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

And every day, they serve their communities in very practical ways.

• Thirty-six percent provide tutoring or after-school education.
• Nineteen percent provide workforce development or job training.
• Seventeen percent offer mental health and wellness resources.
• Fourteen percent support digital access and literacy.
• Thirteen percent facilitate civic engagement activities.

These aren't extras.  They are essential services.

According to research by Independent Sector, museums consistently rank among the most trusted public institutions for visitors across the political spectrum, socioeconomic statuses, and educational levels.  That trust shows up in classrooms, senior centers, neighborhood partnerships, and rural main streets alike.

• They are places where young people build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Where neighbors practice empathy and dialogue.
• Where communities see their histories and identities reflected — and feel a deeper sense of belonging.

Research shows that children in low-wealth communities with strong cultural assets perform 91% better in school.  Day after day, across New York, museums help students thrive, connect neighbors, and strengthen the social fabric that holds communities together.

At the same time, many institutions are facing sudden funding losses.  Earlier this year, the National Endowment for the Humanities terminated a nearly $500,000 grant supporting MANY's statewide civic engagement and a 12-site exhibition tour about voting and the history of democracy.  Our loss is just one example of what museums across the state are experiencing.

Though some funds have been retroactively restored, combined IMLS, NEH, and NEA terminations withdrew $78 million ($46 million outside of NYC, $32 million in NYC).

The need in our communities has not diminished — only the resources have.

That is why we support $210 million for the New York State Council on the Arts, including $100 million for localities, $100 million for capital projects, and $10 million for the much-needed reserve fund program, which we are so grateful NYSCA launched.  The response was overwhelmingly positive; expanding the program is essential.

We are also grateful to Representative Barrett and peers who championed the study of all New York State's Museums, and look forward to working with Empire State Development and other partners to share that information broadly for the benefit of institutions in every community in the state.

Because strong cultural infrastructure helps make strong communities. 

We are grateful for your attention to the needs of New Yorkers across the state and your passionate articulation of why the arts matter.

Thank you.

The 2026 MANY annual conference “Museums Make New York: The State of Culture” is at The New York State Museum in Albany, NY on May 7-9!

Registration is now OPEN.

Bold. Civic. Proud. The MANY Annual Conference is the primary statewide gathering of museum leaders, cultural organizations, and public agencies across New York’s museum sector. A statewide call to recognize museums as essential civic infrastructure powering New York's identity, economy, and cultural vitality. Museums don't just belong to New York — they've made New York. They help define what the state stands for: curiosity, creativity, and excellence.

The Museum Advocate membership is a new leadership tier launched in 2025 in response to unprecedented shifts in cultural funding and public policy. It’s designed for forward-thinking institutions committed to sustaining the shared infrastructure that empowers museums across New York State.

Suggested for organizations with annual budgets of $20 million+, this level is open to any institution eager to lead — regardless of size.

For Immediate Release

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) looks ahead amid federal grant termination, funding crisis, and shifts in organizational structure.

MANY Statement_Press Release - July 2025.pdf

JULY 29, 2025, Troy, New York- The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is contending with the loss of federal funding that has severely impacted daily operations. On April 2, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) terminated a $494,284 grant for MANY's multi-year program, "A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy." The sudden withdrawal of income committed to a project already underway has been devastating. The organization has responded by reducing staff to one employee, maintaining essential programming, and restructuring the volunteer Board of Directors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Developed as an extension of the Smithsonian Institute's Voices & Votes exhibition, New Agora exemplifies MANY's commitment to linking institutions large and small. Awarded the NEH grant in 2023, the funding supported MANY's collaboration with Humanities New York and Museums on Main Street to sponsor the participation of 12 museums across the state in hosting the traveling exhibition and developing site-specific responses. The award was the largest in MANY's history and brought national visibility to New York's museum leadership in using museums as spaces for civic dialogue and public good.

Now operating at a critically reduced capacity, MANY is launching a $200,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild funds lost due to the NEH's sudden grant termination. 28% percent of MANY's 2025 budget was lost as a direct result of the federal funding decision. The cited reasoning – "misalignment with federal priorities" – was the same as hundreds of other terminations and stands in stark contrast to the program's success in fostering civic engagement, public trust, and inclusive dialogue in communities.

New executive director, Sarah Van Anden, began just three days after the notification. She notes, "Nonprofits around the country have been forced to reevaluate income streams and chart a new path forward. MANY is no different. I am committed to the future of this organization and grateful to the leaders who have stepped up during this difficult time. From world-renowned museums to rural historical societies, MANY provides advocacy, training, and networking that fortify the entire cultural landscape. Our path forward is service to our members and a focus on those three most essential mission priorities."

Traditionally focused on vision and governance, board members have also stepped up to assume day-to-day operational responsibilities. Board Member and Director of Human Resources at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Andrea Harden, weighs in on this transition, stating, "Throughout my Human Resources career, I have worked for or consulted with numerous companies that have had to deal with adversity. In all cases, the key to success was a committed leadership team and/or board. Our MANY Board, faced with unforeseen challenges this year, has banded together to pivot from support to hands-on. And though there has been a transition of some board members (not unusual in times of change), their commitment to continued support of the organization, personally and through their museums, models the resiliency of MANY".

In the face of setbacks, MANY has received an outflow of support from organizations, former board members, funders, and other constituents who have been alerted to these challenges and remain committed to supporting the organization. Likewise, MANY's work continues. Despite the loss of funding, MANY upheld its commitment to New Agora partners. Thanks to generous project support from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the exhibition will travel as planned and be presented in all 12 locations.

Thanks to continued generous funding from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, MANY will also continue to offer free virtual programming to all members for the remainder of 2025. "In 2024, MANY served 2,387 museum professionals from more than 900 organizations and from 48 states (including DC) and 26 countries (outside the US) through a series of 19 webinars," said Natalie Stetson, MANY board member, chair of the program committee, and executive director of the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse NY, "This year we're offering a new series of virtual programs with topics ranging from the impact of federal grant loss to creating accessible spaces and developing sustainable internship programs to deaccessioning."

Since 1960, MANY has been a trusted advocate, convener, and partner for New York's museums. Affirming its commitment to advocating for museums across New York State, MANY is committed to equipping museums to meet evolving challenges through education, professional development, and support in areas such as workforce development and digital transformation. Museums generate over $5 billion in economic activity in New York each year, supporting jobs, tourism, education, and community identity. We must continue to support these institutions that are resilient and future-facing. Collectively, we remain committed to elevating New York's cultural leadership nationally and to meeting the demands of the moment.

About MANY:

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by sharing best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Founded in 1960, MANY is the only statewide museum service platform and brings together more than 700 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY's annual conference connects hundreds of professionals across the state and nation.

nysmuseums.org \ @nysmuseums

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For press inquiries, please contact info@nysmuseums.com

Over 400 museum professionals from New York State Gather in Ithaca to Provide Local Economic Boost and Discuss Federal Funding Cuts

April 5, 2025, Ithaca NY, MANY officially opens its 2025 annual conference, “Cultivating Community: Looking In, Reaching Out,” 400 museum professionals from around the state will converge at the brand-new state of the art Ithaca Conference Center.

Over the past few years, New York’s museums have placed a greater emphasis on fostering and deepening their community connections, aligning and elevating institutional missions while strengthening education, sustainability, and a crucial sense of civic belonging. Nearly 90 percent of American museums now center their audiences and communities in their mission and vision statements. Their missions and work focus on expanding and diversifying their audiences and engaging with their local communities. 

But what is community? Who are the members of our communities? How can we evaluate our internal structures to help us better understand our organization, define our audiences, and serve our communities? How do we bring all communities together to support our field? How can we support and develop our internal community of staff, volunteers, and board members? How can we advocate for funding that meets operational capacity needs and includes equitable staff support? What changes do we need to make to prioritize the health and well-being of our museum workforce that will support the longevity and sustainability of our institutions and strengthen our ability to build meaningful community relationships?

When our stories are silenced, it’s a loss to all humanity. Museums are not luxuries; they are keepers of truth, and we will not lose ourselves—or let others lose us—to the erasure of history. 

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting museums and cultural institutions across New York. As an affiliate of national organizations like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), we strongly support their efforts at the federal level and continue to collaborate with the Consortium of State Museum Associations and peer organizations nationwide.

In February, the MANY Board issued a statement , which we continue to stand behind. Recent developments have only deepened our commitment to that message.

This week, we learned that federal funding for MANY’s state-wide project, A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy, has been terminated. The $493,284 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was a critical investment in civic engagement and museum-community partnerships. 

We are not alone. Our members and partners across the state are feeling the impact. For instance, the Museum of the City of New York recently received notice that its $100,000 NEH grant for Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100 exhibition was terminated. The project included a school curriculum honoring the legacy of the first Black woman elected to Congress.

MANY remains committed to federal and state advocacy efforts. As AAM President Laura Lott shared during Museums Advocacy Day 2023, “96 percent of the public supports federal funding for museums.” That public support has helped drive an 80% increase in funding for the Office of Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) over the last decade. On the state level, our advocacy led to the passage of the Museum Study Act—New York’s first comprehensive census of chartered museums, now underway. 

Looking ahead, our 2025 annual conference, Cultivating Community: Looking In, Reaching Out, will bring together around 400 museum professionals from across New York State. This gathering is a vital opportunity to listen, learn, and strengthen our collective response to current challenges. We urge members and other institutions to complete our Federal Funding Impact Survey– CLICK HERE so we can better assess and respond to the needs in our field. 

Museums and related cultural institutions are essential economic drivers and community anchors. With an average return of $3-$10 for every public dollar invested, few industries can match the economic efficiency and civic value of the arts. We are actively pursuing support from private funders to help sustain our members during this time. 

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, MANY provided regranting, capacity building, and virtual programs to help museums stay connected and resilient. We will continue this work with the same spirit and determination. And we are thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Sarah Van Anden, who joins MANY at this critical moment to lead us forward. 

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More about MANY:

MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. MANY serves over 1,400 museums across New York State including museum studies professors and students, libraries and archives, and museum industry partners. 

MANY's members represent the full range of museum sizes, missions, disciplines, and geographic locations. At the end of 2023, MANY had 733 members with 1,063 staff bundled to their organizations’ accounts. Group memberships created in the past two years with the Historic House Trust of New York City and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation provide access to MANY resources and discounts for hundreds of museum professionals employed by New York City and the State.

The Board of Directors of The Museum Association of New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Van Anden as the new executive director effective April 7, 2025.

With decades of experience as an advocate, and exemplified leadership in museum engagement, expertise in fundraising and program development, and deep commitment to strengthening New York’s museum community as a whole, we are thrilled to welcome her as the new leader of the association.

Sarah brings a wealth of expertise and vision to MANY as the association advances our mission and vision in a climate of change MANY continues to raise the standard of service and professionalism for membership.

Sarah distinguished career expands through 15 years of experience in museum leadership, nonprofit management, and cultural advocacy. Most recently, she served as Programs & Finance Director at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, where she expanded funding, strengthened professional networks, and supported leadership development for museum professionals nationwide. Previously, she worked at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, overseeing annual funding for more than 140 cultural organizations.

More About Sarah:
Sarah Van Anden has worked to build bridges and strengthen relationships between artists, cultural professionals, and institutions. She maintains a wide network of creative and curatorial professionals and has diverse experience in collection and archive management, museum engagement, program design, communications, fundraising, strategic philanthropy, and nonprofit administration.

Previously, as Programs & Finance Director at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, Sarah led program planning, fundraising, communications, and strategic initiatives, working with Fellows, alumni, supporters, and the Board of Trustees to develop and carry out the organization’s full schedule of activities. Earlier in her career, Sarah was a Program Officer with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. There, as a member of the Programs Unit, she oversaw a portfolio of more than 140 New York City cultural organizations and helped distribute over $30 million annually through the Cultural Development Fund, the city’s open, competitive funding process for arts nonprofits. In an earlier position at the Shelley and Donald Rubin family office, Sarah was part of the curatorial team responsible for organizing exhibitions and programs extending from the Rubins’ philanthropic activities centered on art and social justice. Her additional experiences include roles with Eric Firestone Gallery, Ford Foundation Gallery, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Art in America magazine, the Center for the History of Collecting at the Frick Art Reference Library, and Research and Academic Programs at the Clark Art Institute. She also previously served as vice president and treasurer on the board of AIGA NY (the New York chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts).

Sarah received her M.A. in the History of Art from Williams College, where she focused on art collecting in early modern Europe. She began higher education at the Community College of Philadelphia before completing her B.A. at Temple University and Tyler School of Art with a dual major in History and Art History.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Van Anden shared: “MANY is an exceptional community, and the vibrant diversity of its membership is its greatest strength. I am truly honored to join as its next Executive Director. I believe in the transformative power of museums, and I am excited to support the advancement of institutions of all sizes in New York. I, too, am steadfast in my commitment to help shape a better future for our member organizations, their staffs, and the communities they serve. I’m thrilled to work with MANY’s board, staff and membership to bring its resources to the lives of New York residents and visitors, while advocating for museums across the state.”

As we prepare for our conference next week, “we salute and thank our interim executive director and past board member Ms. Sheila McDaniel for steering and steadying the ship and making sure we didn’t miss a beat,” said MANY Board Georgette Grier-Key. We also congratulate Sheila on her new role as the new COO for the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We have great anticipation and expectancy as we begin this new chapter for MANY. We are strong and resilient. The MANY board and dedicated staff are positioned to succeed, I’m looking forward to working with Sarah on this new Journey”, said Georgette Grier-Key.

We hope you join us in welcoming Sarah at MANY’s 2025 annual conference in Ithaca stop by say hello and introduce yourself and your museum.