Elected legislators rely on their constituents to tell them what issues matter to them and how federally funded programs impact the communities they represent. The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) monitors issues important to children’s museums and updates members about how their organizations may be affected. Often, advocacy alerts include steps individuals may take to share their opinions with legislators.
Your most effective tool in your advocacy work is your passion. You have stories to share about how your museum's exhibits, programs, and outreach affect the people in your community. When making a request of a policymaker, you want to convey how your ask for funding, a new policy, etc. will influence your ability to make positive change in your community. Consider calling your Senators and Representative at their Washington DC office to educate them on the issues that matter to your children's museum. Now is the time to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to your work and your community.
ACM works closely with other museum associations so that we speak with one voice in support of museums.
ACM Advocacy Information from 2025
Children's Museums and Policy Issues / Museums Advocacy Day 2025 — This document is meant to complement the Museums Advocacy Day's priorities for Congress as developed by AAM. We have highlighted relevant key policy issues and provide context for the connection to children's museums. While this is developed for Museums Advocacy Day 2025, there is helpful language that museums can pull from for future conversations and meetings on the local and state levels as well.
The Case for Children's Museums — This document provides an executive summary of ACM's publication The Case for Children's Museums. The information in the Case for Children’s Museums is available as a digital resource for those working in and with the children’s museum field. The QR Code connects to the full collection of informational briefs and related materials via the Association of Children’s Museums. A detailed source list is included to cite original ideas and copyrighted information.
The Impact of Children's Museums — This document adapts The Case for Children's Museum executive summary with subtle wording changes and organization of priorities that may better resonate with more conservative public officials and align with current political priorities.
Children's museum advocates should thoughtfully consider which document is most appropriate for conversations with different elected officials and/or prospective partners. 49% of ACM museum members are in Republican districts (typically: Impact document audience) and 51% are in Democratic districts (typically: Case document audience).
To be an effective advocate for your museum and for the children's museum field, develop relationships with your local, state, and federal legislators. Invest your organization's time and effort into these relationships year-round.
