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ADVOCACY TIPS

Writing your Legislator:

  • Put your letter on your organization’s letterhead.
  • Begin by thanking your legislator for his/her support of the arts and cultural organizations in your district.
  • Make your request for his/her support.
  • Explain why his/her support of your request is important to your organization.
  • Include your organization’s brochure, program information, poster, a fact sheet or annual report with your letter.
  • Send copies of your letters to the Governor, the legislative leadership, to the New York State Council on the Arts (if appropriate), and to MANY.
  • Encourage your audiences and members to do the same.
Other Suggestions:
  • Invite your legislators to your organization when they are in your district.
  • Ask them to speak at an event or tour your collections storage areas. Use this opportunity to demonstrate first-hand how important your collections are to your community.
  • Publicly recognize them at events for their support of your organization or of arts and cultural activities in your community.
  • Put your legislators on your mailing and press release lists.
  • Keep them informed about what’s taking place at your organization and who is funding your activities.
  • Be a source of reliable information that may be helpful to your legislators and their staffs.
  • Send your elected officials thank you notes and congratulatory messages.
Post-Election Outreach Procedures:
Once the ballots are counted, it’s time to reach out to newly elected and re-elected officials:
  • Write to your recently elected or re-elected officials congratulating them on their victory and informing them of what your organization does and how you are ready to assist them in office.
  • Invite elected officials to visit your museum or ask for a meeting with their staff to acquaint them with your services and programs. You are a powerful resource to assist them in communicating with constituents and alerting them to perspectives on issues affecting your community.


The Museum Association of New York helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities.

Museum Association of New York is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization. 

265 River Street
Troy, NY 12180 USA
518-273-3400

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