Welcome to the December edition of This Month in NYS Museums! In this newsletter... | | | Letter from Erika: I think I can I think I can I think I can | | | NYCRR Train Engine #999 Scale Model, 1952 Frank DeSantis, Painted metal, glass, wood, Albany Institute of History & Art | Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters, When I close my eyes, I can picture the small bookcase in the corner of the apartment bedroom I shared with my brother when we were young. It sat behind a low, round, brown, Formica table held up by chipped chrome. At unexpected moments, the words of the authors and pictures by the illustrators will still bubble up in my thoughts. I was fortunate to be raised in a home and a culture where education was valued, books were gifted on holidays, and our weekends included a trip to the public library. I strongly suspect that many museum people were raised in similar environments. | | | | | New York's 250 Commission included in The People's Budget | | | "The Museum Association of New York is grateful to the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus for including the New York 250 Commission in The People’s Budget," said Erika Sanger, MANY Executive Director. "We deeply appreciate the caucus members' support of New York’s history, art, and cultural organizations and the multitude of ways in which they will produce commemorative activities to tell an inclusive story of our state’s essential role in our nation’s War for Independence and all of the struggles for civil rights and justice that followed." Under the leadership of Chair Assemblymember Michaelle Solages (D-Nassau County), the members of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus released the "2024 People’s Budget" – an annual document outlining budget priorities crucial for uplifting and enhancing the livelihoods of Black, Latino, and Asian communities across New York State. This year’s budget committee was led by Co-Chairs Senator Samra Brouk, Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, and Assemblymember Steven Raga. Centered on the theme "A Demand for Justice" the Caucus advocates for tangible, long-term solutions that align with the state’s overarching racial and social justice objectives. | | | | | Meet MANY's New Board Officers | | | | | Nick Martinez Vice President Assistant Director of Youth Initiatives American Museum of Natural History | | | | Eliza Kozlowski Vice President Senior Director of Marketing & Engagement George Eastman Museum | | | | | Beck Wehle Treasurer President and CEO Genesee Country Village & Museum | | | Welcome Masha Turchinsky to the MANY Board! | | | Masha Turchinsky Director and CEO Hudson River Museum | | Masha has been appointed and confirmed by the MANY to fill a position vacated by a registration in the class of 2023 - 2025. Her position will be affirmed by a vote of the membership by electronic vote in early 2024.
Masha Turchinsky is Director and CEO of the Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York, where she oversees Westchester’s premiere venue for American art, science, and history with a mindset that is courageous, pioneering, and socially minded. Turchinsky leads a dynamic and skilled team whose innovations have garnered critical national press, increased local community and school participation, and impactful new partnerships, combined with record national attendance, drawing cultural tourism from 45 states and throughout the County to HRM in 2023 alone. She has overseen the successful advocacy, fundraising, construction, and the 2023 inauguration of the Museum’s new West Wing, a bold $11.2M, 12,000 sq. foot capital expansion that unveiled world-class exhibition galleries along the Hudson, overlooking the Palisades. Under her direction, the Museum has been awarded major support from the Art Bridges Foundation, founded by American philanthropist Alice Walton, the Eugene M. Lang Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. | | | | | MANY is committed to salary transparency. All job postings require a salary range. | | | | | Hiring? MANY Organizational and Industry Members post museum jobs for free. For other job posting opportunities, please contact the MANY office at info@nysmuseums.org or call 518-273-3400 | | | Giving Voice to Value
2024 Annual Conference
April 6 -9 | Albany, NY | | | Mark your calendars! Registration opens Monday, January 22.
Join hundreds of museum professionals from across the state to discuss the proposition that it is time to look at new ways to communicate our value to stakeholders, funders, legislators, visitors, and communities. Museums dedicate resources to rationalize relevance, impact, community service, and investment in collections, programs, and facilities. The 2024 annual conference "Giving Voice to Value" will feature: → Over 100 presenters in 25 concurrent sessions, pre-conference workshops, and capstone experiences; → two keynotes; → special events at the New York State Education Department Building, the New York State Museum; → eclipse viewing and after party;
→ and a Night at the Museums tour.
| | | | | | | | | Conference Hotel The Albany Hilton is MANY's 2024 conference hotel. Located in the Capital District of downtown Albany, rooms offer views of the Hudson River and New York State Capitol. | | | | | | | | Conference Sponsorship Opportunities Grow your network and reach new customers in New York State! Join hundreds of museum professionals from across the state to discuss the proposition that it is time to look at new ways to communicate our value to stakeholders, funders, legislators, visitors, and communities. | | | | | | | | | | Conversations About Community Engagement, Audience Diversification, and Relationship Building Friday, January 26, 2024
12 - 1:30 PM EST Museums are constantly exploring new strategies for gathering input and feedback from current and potential stakeholders. The Southold Historical Museum used a survey to gather stakeholder input and thought strategically about the strategies, time, and effort needed to build mutually beneficial and trusting relationships with new partners and stakeholders. The Erie Canal Museum partnered with the New York State Canal Corporation to attract new audiences based on new research on the untold stories of the canal, public art, and canal infrastructure. Join us on Friday, January 26 at noon to learn how these museums are engaging their communities, growing their audiences, and building partnerships. | | | Learn more Virtual programs are free with thanks to support from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. Advance registration required. MANY is committed to making our virtual programs as accessible as possible. ASL interpretation is provided by Interpretek. These programs are recorded and available for active MANY members. Not sure if your MANY membership is active? Email info@nysmuseums.org | | | Funding Opportunities Humanities New York Post Incarceration Humanities Partnership Grant Awards organizations up to $25,000 to join a cohort of peers that serve formerly incarcerated individuals and their families. The Post-Incarceration Humanities Partnership aims to: Recognize the importance of these organizations and their work, introduce and explore humanities-based techniques to programming through workshops and discussion, and hold regular cohort meetings so that grantees may learn from their peers' experiences and engage with new resources that may further their shared goals. Applications due January 3, 2024
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New York State Council on the Arts Stabilization Program for Small Arts Organizations Are you a nonprofit arts organization based in the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Western or Central New York regions, striving to thrive and make a lasting impact? Apply for the NYSCA Stabilization Program for Small Arts Organizations, an initiative to help organizations improve their operations through tailored consulting services. NOTE: If your organization is based in the Capital, Mid-Hudson Valley, Mohawk Valley, or North Country region, or on Long Island, click here for related information from the New York Foundation for the Arts. Learn more Capital Projects Fund Up to $37 million in capital funding is available to nonprofit arts and culture organizations through the New York State Council on the Arts' Capital Projects Fund. The Fund has two grant categories: Small and Midsized Capital Improvement Grants and Large Capital Improvement Grants. NYSCA's Capital Projects Fund will support arts and cultural nonprofits seeking State funding for investments in capital improvements that allow organizations to sustain and expand cultural programming for diverse audiences, promote accessibility and environmental sustainability, preserve and create jobs, and ultimately contribute to the growth of New York's dynamic arts and tourism sectors. Applications due January 11, 2024
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New York State Canal Corporation and Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Tourism Infrastructure & Amenity Support Program supports capital improvement projects and acquisition of equipment and amenities that enhance tourism, especially overnight stays, and recreational assets along the NYS Canal System (Canal waterways and Canalway Trail). - Construction or improvement of recreational assets including trails, parking areas, accessible boat launches, docks, storage facilities, rest stops, and amenities such as permanent outdoor public art, plazas, gardens, or amphitheaters.
- Purchase and installation of equipment, machinery and materials designed to create or enhance visitor experiences such as grounds maintenance equipment, bike racks, potable water, restrooms, porta-johns, showers, benches, WIFI, and security upgrades.
- Purchase and installation of wayfinding signage on non-Canal Corporation property only. Requests for wayfinding signage on NYS Canal Corporation property will not be considered.
- Repair and restoration of existing waterway and trail features or amenities.
- Preservation, rehabilitation, or enhancement of canal-specific historic, cultural or natural resources.
- Enhancements or equipment to improve access to the NYS Canal System, visitor centers, or canal-related tourism sites.
- Contracted services including garbage removal, porta-johns, bike and kayak rental services, and maintenance crews.
Applicant may request up to 10 percent of the grant award amount for project management (unless staff salary is used to meet match requirements). If requested, the 10 percent must be included in the project budget as part of the total grant request (not in addition to the grant request). Award range: $5,000 to $24,000 Applications open January 8, 2024 Applications due February 23, 2024 Learn more Event Support This program supports public events and festivals that encourage exploration and enjoyment of the wealth of cultural, heritage, nature and recreational offerings within New York State's canal corridor. These events may be, but are not limited to: - Major events such as system-wide or regional celebrations focused on canal waterways and trails.
- Events that focus on the heritage and culture of the canals including the canals' bicentennial period (1817-1825)
- Events that promote recreation, especially when they encourage use of the NYS Canal System (Canal waterways and Canalway Trail) – glamping, camping, races, bicycling and paddling tours, and rowing: this includes four season recreational uses.
- Events that actively include or serve people of all ages and abilities.
- Events that draw a wide and diverse audience to the canal, including new users and people from underrepresented populations.
- Events that promote performance-based art on the canals including theater and music.
- Events that support the Canalway Challenge and 1st Mile Challenge.
- Events that support overnight stays.
- Events that support NYPA's Reimagine the Canals initiative.
- Events that highlight the canals as linear recreational assets.
Award range: $500 to $3,000 Applications open January 8, 2024 Applications due February 23, 2024 Learn more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Institute of Museum and Library Services 21st Century Museum Professionals Program The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for its relaunched 21st Century Museum Professionals Program (21MP). 21MP will support projects that offer professional development opportunities to the current museum workforce, employ strategies to train and recruit future museum professionals, or evaluate such efforts. In addition to supporting the museum field, 21MP aims to contribute to US economic recovery. A special emphasis for the program this cycle will be on spurring economic growth through workforce development in the post-pandemic environment, especially for cultural institutions in rural and economically distressed communities. Applications due March 1, 2024 Learn more ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ National Park Service African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund Grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund are designed to advance place-based cultural heritage preservation projects for historic places representing African American cultural heritage. The Action Fund awards grants across four project categories: Capital Projects, Organizational Capacity Building, Project Planning, and Programming and Interpretation. Grants made from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund range from $50,000 to $150,000. Applications due February 1, 2024 Learn more Semiquincentennial Grant Program The National Park Service is accepting applications for the third round of funding for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program. This grant program was created by Congress in 2020 to support the preservation of sites and structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places that commemorate the founding of the nation. The FY2023 round features several notable changes from the previous round: - In addition to resources that were built during the founding period (i.e. prior to 1800), resources that commemorate the people, places, and events of the founding period are eligible for funding if they meet the other program requirements related to ownership and National Register listing.
- Resource specific plans, studies, and reports are eligible as standalone projects and do not need to be conducted as part of a preservation project. Pre-preservation projects that do not include physical work to a resource may apply for grants of $15,000-$75,000.
- Awards for physical preservation projects are $75,000 - $750,000.
- Work to properties owned by entities other than the state. This includes properties owned by local governments, nonprofits, tribes and other applicant types. Preference will be given to state owned properties.
The Semiquincentennial Grant Program is funded by the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) and managed by the National Park Service. Funding for the HPF is provided from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease revenues, not tax dollars. Congress has appropriated $10,000,000 for the Semiquincentennial Grant Program for FY2023. Applications are due March 5, 2024 Learn more | | | From the field... National Trust for Historic Preservation 2024 PastForward Conference –New Orleans
Call for Ideas
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is looking for your proposals for the annual PastForward conference in New Orleans, LA. At the PastForward conference (October 28-30, 2024), the National Trust for Historic Preservation kicks off a celebration of its 75th anniversary and the evolving practice of preservation in one of the country’s most historic cities, New Orleans. Joining us will be the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans celebrating its 50th anniversary, Main Street Louisiana, marking its 40th anniversary, and the National Center for Preservation Trades and Technology founded thirty years ago. Learn more Call for Nominations, National Preservation Awards The National Preservation Awards, presented annually at the PastForward conference, are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation and sustainability of our architectural and cultural heritage. These efforts include citizen attempts to save or retrofit important landmarks; companies and craftsmen whose work restores the richness of the past using modern techniques; the vision of public officials who support preservation projects and legislation in their communities; and educators and journalists who help Americans understand the economic, environmental, and educational value of preservation. Learn more Due January 12, 2024 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Northern Slavery Collective Annual Conference February 5, 2024 9 AM - 5 PM New York City Registration is now open! The Northern Slavery Collective is excited to announce our upcoming Annual Conference, which will focus on museum education related to enslavement in the North. This conference will bring together experts in the field to share their insights and experiences on how museums can effectively educate the public about the history of enslavement. The conference will cover a range of topics, including the challenges and opportunities of presenting enslavement in the North, the role of museums in shaping public perceptions of this history, and strategies for engaging diverse audiences in meaningful conversations about this vital topic. This conference is open to museum professionals, educators, and anyone interested in learning more about museum education related to the history of enslavement. Learn more and register Email info@nrsc.org for any questions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ American Alliance of Museums "Museums Advocacy Day" February 26-27, 2024 Washington, DC Registration is now open! Museums Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity to join with fellow museum professionals and supporters to speak up for museums. For 15 years, Museums Advocacy Day has been providing the essential training and support advocates need to meet effectively with members of Congress and their staff. Museums Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity to unite with museum colleagues and supporters from across the country as one voice to reaffirm our essential values, collective contributions, and aspirations while making the critical case for museums directly to Congress. Learn more Active MANY members can register at the AAM Member Rate! Email info@nysmuseums.org to get the code. | | | MANY Executive Director Erika Sanger to be next Coalition of State Museum Associations Board President The Coalition of State Museum Associations, or COSMA, supporting state museum associations with professional development and resources needed to strengthen museums across their state. | | | | | | | | | What's happening at your museum? How is your museum growing institutional resources, including welcoming new staff and board members and securing funding for projects, how is your museum working with their community and visitors; and how we use our exhibitions and collections in new ways. The deadline to submit for the January “This Month in NYS Museums” newsletter is January 18. Email meves@nysmuseums.org | | | | | Please note that the MANY office will be closed December 23 - January 1. Happy Holidays and best wishes from the MANY Staff and Board! | | | |
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