Download the Winter 2010 Artifacts Newsleter Download the 2010 Annual Meeting Registration Mississippi Museums Association Notice In the fast changing world of United States (and global) finances, in mid February Coburn Amendment 175 passed in the senate. This amendment exempted museums along with certain other public service facilities like zoos and aquariums from funding in the stimulus bill. The vote to support the amendment was 73 yes to 24 no, with both Mississippi Senators voting yes. By late February Gayle Petty-Johnson, our representative in the National Leadership Group, informed me that in the final package that was approved by both legislative bodies, the wording in the Coburn Amendment had been changed to exclude museums, meaning that they are now eligible to receive federal funding from monies provided through the stimulus plan. As the spring '09 Artifacts issue goes to print, Gayle is in Washington meeting with Mississippi legislators, and she asked that I get word out to MMA member museums that if they have shovel-ready construction projects—those going to bid—to let her know and she will take the proposals to legislators. This is exciting news. You can either email me mhowell@mdah.state.ms.us or Gayle, at director@walterandersonmuseum.org. For more, please read the following message from the AAM Director of Programs: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MUSEUMS Advocacy Update Congress Completes Work on Economic Stimulus Bill; Museums Allowed to Compete For Funds Early this morning (Friday), the U.S. Congress unveiled the Conference Report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, setting the stage for final passage by the House and Senate, expected to occur in the next few days. Museums, zoos, and aquariums had initially been barred from competing for any funds in the Senate-passed bill. Zoos and aquariums were barred from funds in both versions. In reconciling the two pieces of legislation, Congress is set to adopt the following language: SEC. 1604. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in this Act may be used by any State or local government, or any private entity for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool. Museum supporters should be very pleased that we were able to mobilize a massive field-wide effort to prevent a funding ban on museums in this bill," said AAM President Ford W. Bell. "However, the fact that Congress - and specifically the U.S. Senate in its February 6 vote - initally saw fit to exclude museums from funding shows that we have a lot of work to do in making the case for museums." He added: "It is also disheartening that zoos and aquariums will be prohibited from competing for most economic stimulus funds made available throu gh this bill. Zoos and aquariums have tremendous public benefit for environmental education and wildlife conservation, and contribute greatly to our nation's economy by spurring tourism." Museums employ more than a half-million Americans, spend an estimated $14.5 billion annually, and rank among the top three family vacation destinations. Visitors to cultural and heritage destinations stay 53% longer and spend 36% more money than other kinds of tourists. Museums have been very hard hit by this recession, laying off workers and cutting back on services. Members of Congress must be made aware of the economic impact that museums make on their communities, and we must TELL CONGRESS the impact we have every day - employing workers, buying goods and services, and educating communities. The bill also includes the following funding: - National Endowment for the Arts - $50 million to preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector. - Smithsonian Institution - $25 million for repair and revitalization of existing facilities. - National Park Service - $146 million for critical repair and rehabilitation projects, $589 million for energy efficient retrofits, the preservation and repair of historical resources within the National Park System, and other critical infrastructure projects, and $15 million for historic preservation projects at historically black colleges and universities. - National Science Foundation - $100 million for improving instruction in math, science, and engineering. - Community Development Fund - $1 billion to bolster critical community services and infrastructure needs, to be administered by local governments. Visit www.speakupformuseums.org for more information about your legislators and AAM's advocacy for museums! Purpose and Mission The purpose of the Mississippi Museums Association is to promote professional communication between all types of museums, public and private, within the State of Mississippi and to promote a statewide public awareness of the value of museums as educational and research institutions at the local, county, regional and state levels.