Across the U.S., 10.2 million kids rely on afterschool programs and in every community, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the ability of these programs to serve young people and their families. To face this challenge effectively, it is important for education leaders, policymakers, funders, and the public to have comprehensive information about the current situation, […]
On May 29, 24 senators from 16 states sent a letter to Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Charles Schumer (D-NY) requesting at least $2 billion for museums in the next COVID-19 relief package. In the letter, they write: “…we urge you to include at least $2 billion for the Institute for Museums and Library Services to administer
24 U.S. Senators Request $2 Billion for Museums Read More »
Over the past few days, the world has seen on full display the anguish and anger of people across the United States as we face the concurrent crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and of pervasive racism and associated police violence. Both crises have disproportionally impacted Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), and both are calling
On May 8, the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS) issued a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for IMLS Cares Act Grants for Museums and Libraries (CAG-ML-FY20). The IMLS CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries grant program invites project proposals that focus on preserving jobs, training staff, addressing the digital divide, planning
IMLS Issues Funding Opportunity for CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries Read More »
On May 6, a coalition of 143 chambers of commerce sent a letter to U.S. Congressional leadership requesting Federal relief and funding for the cultural and performing arts sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic, including museums, aquariums, and zoos. Led by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) and the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce (New York),
143 Chambers of Commerce Urge the U.S. Congress to Support Cultural Institutions Read More »
Updated July 1, 2020 to include information about the newly announced “Reimagine Workforce Preparation Grants Program.” The U.S. Department of Education (ED) received $30.75 billion for an “Educational Stabilization Fund” through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020. Four grant programs—each described in greater depth below—are part
A Deep Dive into the New CARES Act Grant Programs from the U.S. Department of Education Read More »
On April 16, 88 members of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to House leadership, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), that requests a dedicated fund of up to $6 billion for museums to be distributed through the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Fred Upton (R-MI) were
88 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Support $6 Billion for Museums Read More »
In addition to their core research work, many Federal science agencies have a mission to engage the public with current scientific research; educate Americans in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and seed tomorrow’s workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic emphasizes the importance of providing tools for the public to evaluate scientific information, bolstering community science literacy,
Including STEM Engagement in U.S. COVID-19 Recovery Efforts Read More »
As a result of our previous collective advocacy efforts, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020 included nonprofits in the loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and some support for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). See this summary for more on the CARES Act. On April 6, nine museum associations
Museum Community Asks for Support in Phase 4 of U.S. Federal COVID-19 Relief Read More »
The U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act enacted on March 27, 2020 is a $2 trillion relief package that provides financial support for individuals, small businesses, states, and other entities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act follows passage of two other pieces of COVID-19 legislation: the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response
Relief for museums and nonprofits in the $2 trillion CARES Act Read More »
On Wednesday, March 18, ASTC joined with our colleagues to send a letter urging the United States Congress to include at least $4 billion for nonprofit museums in COVID-19 economic relief legislation to provide emergency assistance through June. Museums are losing at least $33 million a day due to closures as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and are in desperate need
A Second Letter to Congress Requests $4 Billion for Museums for COVID-19 Economic Relief Read More »
UPDATE: A new letter asking for $4 billion in relief funds for museums and a temporary universal charitable deduction was sent on Wednesday, March 18. View the blog. On Friday, March 13, ASTC joined with our colleagues to send a letter asking the United States Congress to consider museums and other centers for science engagement that are helping communities prepare and respond to
Asking Congress to Support Museums in COVID-19 Response Read More »
On February 26, representatives from eight U.S. Federal agencies shared current programs and future opportunities in science engagement and STEM education for science centers, museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions. ASTC convened this event to supplement Museums Advocacy Day, an annual event organized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) that brought 375 museum
U.S. Federal Agencies Share Opportunities for Science Centers and Museums Read More »
Last week, nearly 400 individuals from across the country came to Washington, D.C., to make the case for museums as part of Museum Advocacy Day. This annual event, organized by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), brings the entire museum together and raises the profile of our community to Members of Congress and Federal agency
Advocates Make the Case for Museums Read More »
Science centers and museums have a deep commitment to equity and inclusion in STEM, and to ensuring that those engaged in our work is representative of the diversity of the communities we serve. At present, we know that certain populations are underrepresented in the STEM workforce, obtain STEM degrees at lower rate, and score lower
An Updated Look at the State of Science and Engineering in the U.S. Read More »
Earlier this week, the White House released its proposed budget for fiscal year (FY) 2021, which will begin on October 1, 2020. The President’s budget is more a statement of administration priorities than an actual fiscal plan, as it is Congress’ responsibility to actually pass a budget. As with the several past budget requests, the
President Trump’s proposed budget includes cuts to science and education Read More »
Cristin Dorgelo, President and CEO of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), released the following statement regarding the Trump Administration’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget. Although we await the eventual release of details, the broad outlines of President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget proposal made public today are acutely troubling for America’s scientific enterprise and
ASTC’s Statement on the U.S. President’s 2020 Budget Proposal Read More »
“The Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC) commends the U.S. Congress for completing work on the Federal budget for Fiscal Year 2019 and for continuing to support science; research; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. This bipartisan effort to resolve Fiscal Year 2019 funding is particularly welcome as the science community works to recover
U.S. Congress Again Saves, Increases Museum Funding Read More »
Earlier today the U.S. National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM) released the new U.S. Federal STEM Education 5-year Strategic Plan. Click here to download your copy. This new strategic plan lays out the topline vision of “a future where all Americans have lifelong access to high-quality STEM education and the United
United States Releases New Federal STEM Education 5-year Strategic Plan Read More »
ASTC is proud to be part of the ever-growing We Are Still In coalition supporting climate action, an alliance of U.S. cultural institutions, businesses and investors, cities and counties, colleges and universities, faith groups, health care organizations, states, tribes, and other non-federal actors. We Are Still In, at nearly 3,600 signatories, demonstrates America’s enduring commitment
ASTC, Members Join “We Are Still In” U.S. Climate Action Movement Read More »