Blog and Newsletter

Thank you to everyone who provided input during the planning process and thank you to the Maine Arts Commission for providing crucial funding.  The 2019-2024 MAM Strategic Plan is now complete!

Read here the summary of goals and tactics.

The Association of Maine Archives and Museums is now on Instagram!  If you use this service, please follow us: www.instagram.com/mainemuseums

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the President released details from the budget request to Congress for FY 2020 that proposes $23M in funding for the orderly closure of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This is the first step for the FY 2020 federal budget, and we will provide information to the Office of Management and Budget and Congress throughout the process as requested. We are disappointed that for a third year, the President’s budget request did not provide funding for the continuation of IMLS activities for the next fiscal year. In the meantime, the agency will continue normal grantmaking operations with allocated FY 2019 funds.

The libraries and museums across our nation provide essential programs, services, and resources to the public. As the primary source of federal funding for museums and libraries, IMLS grants make a difference in communities of all sizes, from rural to urban, in every U.S. state and territory. For example, IMLS ensures public library services for all Americans, helps preserve the heritage of our nation, and provides critical funding for literacy and workforce development programs.

IMLS funding enables museums and libraries to provide increased access and navigation to information so that more people can continue their education, learn critical research skills, and find employment. Through IMLS investments in libraries and museums, children and families are being taught essential STEM skills and how to lead healthier lives. Visually impaired people are now able to read public library materials through new technology and training. And veterans are getting the help they need to receive critical services.

As the budget process moves forward, IMLS will continue to carry out our work on behalf of the millions of Americans served by libraries and museums each day.

For more information, a FAQ page on IMLS FY 2019 operations and the FY 2020 budget request can be found here.

The National Endowment for the Humanities would appreciate your sharing the following announcement with your members in any appropriate forum: newsletter, blog, etc.

 

NEH guidelines are now available for Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants! Awards up to $750,000 in federal matching funds support capital expenditures, equipment & software, collections preservation & conservation, and existing digital infrastructure. These grants have a fundraising component and offer special encouragement to projects addressing the 250^th anniversary of American independence and those from HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, and community colleges. Optional drafts reviewed if sent by April 3. Questions welcome at challenge@neh.gov or 202-606-8309. Deadline: May 15.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Colby College Museum of Art

Full-Time, Exempt, Salaried, Administrative Staff Appointment

The communications manager will serve as a key member of the Museum team, managing and executing communication strategy, media relations, and print and digital outreach efforts for the Colby College Museum of Art and the Lunder Institute for American Art. In this new position at the Museum, the communications manager will be responsible for developing and managing a diverse portfolio of marketing and communications projects that promote a dynamic roster of exhibitions and programs, world-class collections, innovative scholarly and creative initiatives, and forward-looking advancement efforts to multiple audiences. This position will coordinate communications efforts and workflows across the Museum and will work closely with the Colby College Office of Communications.

For more information and to apply, please visit:

https://www.colby.edu/administration_cs/humanresources/employment/communications_mgr_3_2019.cfm

Responses Needed: What visitation trends have you seen at your site over the last few years? The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is conducting a national visitation survey  and wants your feedback! Please take five minutes to complete the survey and share it with other interested institutions. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AASLHVisitation 

Your response is critical: The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) is conducting a national survey of institutions seeking information about visitation trends between the years of 2013-2018.  Please take five minutes to complete this survey and pass along to any institutions who may be interested in participating.  Results will be shared with participants in August of 2019.  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AASLHVisitation 

Dear members of MAM,

My name is Jennifer Hochuli. I am a graduate student in the Museum Professions program at Seton Hall University. For my Master’s thesis, I am researching outreach programming within museums, and my goal is to compile a list of information from museums throughout the country. I am writing to ask that you consider completing the attached survey about outreach programming at your institution. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete and will be invaluable to my research.

As thanks for your assistance, I am happy to send you a summary of my results and recommendations for best practices in outreach programming for you to distribute throughout your organization.

I appreciate your help and look forward to hearing from you.

All the best,

Jennifer Hochuli

Graduate Student, Museum Professions, Seton Hall University

jennifer.hochuli@student.shu.edu

Deadline is May 1, 2019

Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting applications for projects that support libraries and archives serving Native Americans and Native Alaskans. Applications for Native American Library Services Enhancement grants are due May 1, 2019. Native American Library Services Enhancement grants advance the programs and services of eligible Indian tribes, including Alaska native villages, regional corporations, and village corporations. They are competitive grants of up to $150,000 for two years and are available to any library that has an active Basic grant.

L.C.Bates Museum Educator position.  Looking for an opportunity to work in a place of wonder and exploration? We currently are recruiting for a part-time Museum Educator/Assistant (up to 29 hours per week) to work at the L.C. Bates Museum at Good Will-Hinckley. The L.C. Bates Museum houses unique natural history and culture collections. This position primarily involves working with children and families presenting natural history programs, but would also involve working in all aspects of the museum including greeting visitors and presenting tours, cleaning, preparing exhibitions, presenting outside activities, helping develop programs for children and presenting educational outreach programs at schools.

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter, updated resume and GWH Employment application, which can be downloaded from our employment page at https://www.gwh.org/employment-opportunities via e-mail to HR@gwh.org or mail to Human Resources, PO Box 159, Hinckley, ME 04944. Please reference “Museum Educator” in your correspondence.

You may also contact the L.C.Bates Museum at 207-238-4250 or lcbates@gwh.org for more information.

College Intern to learn as they help with museum natural history activities and collection activities. (Summer 2019)

Responsibilities of this position will include: Working with museum visitors including teachers, students, campers and families to provide natural science programs and guided tours. Working with museum staff and volunteers to plan, organize, and present history, astronomy and natural history programs and work with museum collections activities. Preparing hands-on science and history projects and materials for children. The successful candidate will be paid an hourly stipend.

Work schedule and hours will be designed to meet the needs of the project and audience.  (Mid May to August).

Interested applicants please submit a cover letter and updated resume to: HR@gwh.org or mail to Human Resources, PO Box 159, Hinckley, ME 04944. Please reference "Museum Internship" in the subject line or cover letter in your correspondence. Visit our website at www.gwh.org

Or, contact the L.C.Bates Museum at 207-238-4250 or lcbates@gwh.org for more information about the internship.