Please plan to join us for this year's Arts Rally in Albany on Wednesday, March 25. 

12 noon - 1 pm 4th Floor Senate Lobby Capitol Building

Preceded and Followed by Office Meetings with our Senators and Assembly Members.

Please fill out this form to express interest in attending the rally and lobby day, so you'll be on the email list for rally info and lobbying meeting updates.

On February 25, 2026, MANY submitted written testimony to the State Legislature's Joint Budget Hearing as part of the annual budget negotiations in Albany. 

We joined peers across the state in calling for $210 million in funding for the New York State Council on the Arts in the upcoming State Budget. 

• including $100 million for localities
• $100 million for capital projects, 
• and $10 million for the much-needed reserve fund program.

A PDF of the full testimony is included here. 

MANY Testimony 2026.2.25 pdf

Executive Director, Sarah Van Anden participated in Arts Day 2026, a joint forum to discuss the importance of the Arts and Cultural Sector throughout New York State.

Hosted by Senator José M. Serrano (Chairman, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation) and Assemblyman Ron Kim (Chairman, Tourism, Parks, Arts, and Sports Development). 

The Public Event Agenda

Below are portions of Van Anden's statements: 

Good morning.  I'm Sarah Van Anden, Executive Director of The Museum Association of New York, representing more than 750 museums across our state — from small, volunteer-run historical societies to world-renowned art, science, and cultural institutions.  New York is home to the greatest concentration and diversity of cultural organizations in the country.  This uniquely globally-admired ecosystem reflects the curiosity, creativity, and excellence that define who we are.

When people picture museums, they often picture New York City.  But 88% of our members are outside the five boroughs   (The recent study of the field identified as many as 2,500 self-identified nonprofit museums across the state)

From the Great Lakes to Long Island Sound, from remote "forever wild” communities to the urban heart of a megacity, there are museums in all 62 counties (with annual budgets ranging from <$10,000 to >$300 million, and staff sizes ranging from 1 to over 2,000)

In these communities, museums are trusted, place-based civic institutions and centers of learning.

• They present globally admired exhibitions.
• They publish original research.
• They preserve irreplaceable histories and collections.
• They foster creative public engagement and dialogue.
• They host countless nonprofit partners, public programs, and opportunities for cultural enrichment.

And every day, they serve their communities in very practical ways.

• Thirty-six percent provide tutoring or after-school education.
• Nineteen percent provide workforce development or job training.
• Seventeen percent offer mental health and wellness resources.
• Fourteen percent support digital access and literacy.
• Thirteen percent facilitate civic engagement activities.

These aren't extras.  They are essential services.

According to research by Independent Sector, museums consistently rank among the most trusted public institutions for visitors across the political spectrum, socioeconomic statuses, and educational levels.  That trust shows up in classrooms, senior centers, neighborhood partnerships, and rural main streets alike.

• They are places where young people build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Where neighbors practice empathy and dialogue.
• Where communities see their histories and identities reflected — and feel a deeper sense of belonging.

Research shows that children in low-wealth communities with strong cultural assets perform 91% better in school.  Day after day, across New York, museums help students thrive, connect neighbors, and strengthen the social fabric that holds communities together.

At the same time, many institutions are facing sudden funding losses.  Earlier this year, the National Endowment for the Humanities terminated a nearly $500,000 grant supporting MANY's statewide civic engagement and a 12-site exhibition tour about voting and the history of democracy.  Our loss is just one example of what museums across the state are experiencing.

Though some funds have been retroactively restored, combined IMLS, NEH, and NEA terminations withdrew $78 million ($46 million outside of NYC, $32 million in NYC).

The need in our communities has not diminished — only the resources have.

That is why we support $210 million for the New York State Council on the Arts, including $100 million for localities, $100 million for capital projects, and $10 million for the much-needed reserve fund program, which we are so grateful NYSCA launched.  The response was overwhelmingly positive; expanding the program is essential.

We are also grateful to Representative Barrett and peers who championed the study of all New York State's Museums, and look forward to working with Empire State Development and other partners to share that information broadly for the benefit of institutions in every community in the state.

Because strong cultural infrastructure helps make strong communities. 

We are grateful for your attention to the needs of New Yorkers across the state and your passionate articulation of why the arts matter.

Thank you.

The 2026 MANY annual conference “Museums Make New York: The State of Culture” is at The New York State Museum in Albany, NY on May 7-9!

Registration is now OPEN.

Bold. Civic. Proud. The MANY Annual Conference is the primary statewide gathering of museum leaders, cultural organizations, and public agencies across New York’s museum sector. A statewide call to recognize museums as essential civic infrastructure powering New York's identity, economy, and cultural vitality. Museums don't just belong to New York — they've made New York. They help define what the state stands for: curiosity, creativity, and excellence.

The Museum Advocate membership is a new leadership tier launched in 2025 in response to unprecedented shifts in cultural funding and public policy. It’s designed for forward-thinking institutions committed to sustaining the shared infrastructure that empowers museums across New York State.

Suggested for organizations with annual budgets of $20 million+, this level is open to any institution eager to lead — regardless of size.

MANY Museum Advocate.pdf

For Immediate Release

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) looks ahead amid federal grant termination, funding crisis, and shifts in organizational structure.

MANY Statement_Press Release - July 2025.pdf

JULY 29, 2025, Troy, New York- The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is contending with the loss of federal funding that has severely impacted daily operations. On April 2, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) terminated a $494,284 grant for MANY's multi-year program, "A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy." The sudden withdrawal of income committed to a project already underway has been devastating. The organization has responded by reducing staff to one employee, maintaining essential programming, and restructuring the volunteer Board of Directors to ensure long-term sustainability.

Developed as an extension of the Smithsonian Institute's Voices & Votes exhibition, New Agora exemplifies MANY's commitment to linking institutions large and small. Awarded the NEH grant in 2023, the funding supported MANY's collaboration with Humanities New York and Museums on Main Street to sponsor the participation of 12 museums across the state in hosting the traveling exhibition and developing site-specific responses. The award was the largest in MANY's history and brought national visibility to New York's museum leadership in using museums as spaces for civic dialogue and public good.

Now operating at a critically reduced capacity, MANY is launching a $200,000 fundraising campaign to rebuild funds lost due to the NEH's sudden grant termination. 28% percent of MANY's 2025 budget was lost as a direct result of the federal funding decision. The cited reasoning – "misalignment with federal priorities" – was the same as hundreds of other terminations and stands in stark contrast to the program's success in fostering civic engagement, public trust, and inclusive dialogue in communities.

New executive director, Sarah Van Anden, began just three days after the notification. She notes, "Nonprofits around the country have been forced to reevaluate income streams and chart a new path forward. MANY is no different. I am committed to the future of this organization and grateful to the leaders who have stepped up during this difficult time. From world-renowned museums to rural historical societies, MANY provides advocacy, training, and networking that fortify the entire cultural landscape. Our path forward is service to our members and a focus on those three most essential mission priorities."

Traditionally focused on vision and governance, board members have also stepped up to assume day-to-day operational responsibilities. Board Member and Director of Human Resources at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, Andrea Harden, weighs in on this transition, stating, "Throughout my Human Resources career, I have worked for or consulted with numerous companies that have had to deal with adversity. In all cases, the key to success was a committed leadership team and/or board. Our MANY Board, faced with unforeseen challenges this year, has banded together to pivot from support to hands-on. And though there has been a transition of some board members (not unusual in times of change), their commitment to continued support of the organization, personally and through their museums, models the resiliency of MANY".

In the face of setbacks, MANY has received an outflow of support from organizations, former board members, funders, and other constituents who have been alerted to these challenges and remain committed to supporting the organization. Likewise, MANY's work continues. Despite the loss of funding, MANY upheld its commitment to New Agora partners. Thanks to generous project support from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, the exhibition will travel as planned and be presented in all 12 locations.

Thanks to continued generous funding from the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, MANY will also continue to offer free virtual programming to all members for the remainder of 2025. "In 2024, MANY served 2,387 museum professionals from more than 900 organizations and from 48 states (including DC) and 26 countries (outside the US) through a series of 19 webinars," said Natalie Stetson, MANY board member, chair of the program committee, and executive director of the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse NY, "This year we're offering a new series of virtual programs with topics ranging from the impact of federal grant loss to creating accessible spaces and developing sustainable internship programs to deaccessioning."

Since 1960, MANY has been a trusted advocate, convener, and partner for New York's museums. Affirming its commitment to advocating for museums across New York State, MANY is committed to equipping museums to meet evolving challenges through education, professional development, and support in areas such as workforce development and digital transformation. Museums generate over $5 billion in economic activity in New York each year, supporting jobs, tourism, education, and community identity. We must continue to support these institutions that are resilient and future-facing. Collectively, we remain committed to elevating New York's cultural leadership nationally and to meeting the demands of the moment.

About MANY:

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by sharing best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. Founded in 1960, MANY is the only statewide museum service platform and brings together more than 700 member museums, historical societies, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums. MANY's annual conference connects hundreds of professionals across the state and nation.

nysmuseums.org \ @nysmuseums

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For press inquiries, please contact info@nysmuseums.com

Over 400 museum professionals from New York State Gather in Ithaca to Provide Local Economic Boost and Discuss Federal Funding Cuts

April 5, 2025, Ithaca NY, MANY officially opens its 2025 annual conference, “Cultivating Community: Looking In, Reaching Out,” 400 museum professionals from around the state will converge at the brand-new state of the art Ithaca Conference Center.

Over the past few years, New York’s museums have placed a greater emphasis on fostering and deepening their community connections, aligning and elevating institutional missions while strengthening education, sustainability, and a crucial sense of civic belonging. Nearly 90 percent of American museums now center their audiences and communities in their mission and vision statements. Their missions and work focus on expanding and diversifying their audiences and engaging with their local communities. 

But what is community? Who are the members of our communities? How can we evaluate our internal structures to help us better understand our organization, define our audiences, and serve our communities? How do we bring all communities together to support our field? How can we support and develop our internal community of staff, volunteers, and board members? How can we advocate for funding that meets operational capacity needs and includes equitable staff support? What changes do we need to make to prioritize the health and well-being of our museum workforce that will support the longevity and sustainability of our institutions and strengthen our ability to build meaningful community relationships?

When our stories are silenced, it’s a loss to all humanity. Museums are not luxuries; they are keepers of truth, and we will not lose ourselves—or let others lose us—to the erasure of history. 

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is a statewide organization dedicated to supporting museums and cultural institutions across New York. As an affiliate of national organizations like the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), we strongly support their efforts at the federal level and continue to collaborate with the Consortium of State Museum Associations and peer organizations nationwide.

In February, the MANY Board issued a statement , which we continue to stand behind. Recent developments have only deepened our commitment to that message.

This week, we learned that federal funding for MANY’s state-wide project, A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy, has been terminated. The $493,284 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was a critical investment in civic engagement and museum-community partnerships. 

We are not alone. Our members and partners across the state are feeling the impact. For instance, the Museum of the City of New York recently received notice that its $100,000 NEH grant for Changing the Face of Democracy: Shirley Chisholm at 100 exhibition was terminated. The project included a school curriculum honoring the legacy of the first Black woman elected to Congress.

MANY remains committed to federal and state advocacy efforts. As AAM President Laura Lott shared during Museums Advocacy Day 2023, “96 percent of the public supports federal funding for museums.” That public support has helped drive an 80% increase in funding for the Office of Museum Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) over the last decade. On the state level, our advocacy led to the passage of the Museum Study Act—New York’s first comprehensive census of chartered museums, now underway. 

Looking ahead, our 2025 annual conference, Cultivating Community: Looking In, Reaching Out, will bring together around 400 museum professionals from across New York State. This gathering is a vital opportunity to listen, learn, and strengthen our collective response to current challenges. We urge members and other institutions to complete our Federal Funding Impact Survey– CLICK HERE so we can better assess and respond to the needs in our field. 

Museums and related cultural institutions are essential economic drivers and community anchors. With an average return of $3-$10 for every public dollar invested, few industries can match the economic efficiency and civic value of the arts. We are actively pursuing support from private funders to help sustain our members during this time. 

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, MANY provided regranting, capacity building, and virtual programs to help museums stay connected and resilient. We will continue this work with the same spirit and determination. And we are thrilled to welcome our new Executive Director, Sarah Van Anden, who joins MANY at this critical moment to lead us forward. 

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More about MANY:

MANY helps shape a better future for museums and museum professionals by uplifting best practices and building organizational capacity through advocacy, training, and networking opportunities. MANY serves over 1,400 museums across New York State including museum studies professors and students, libraries and archives, and museum industry partners. 

MANY's members represent the full range of museum sizes, missions, disciplines, and geographic locations. At the end of 2023, MANY had 733 members with 1,063 staff bundled to their organizations’ accounts. Group memberships created in the past two years with the Historic House Trust of New York City and the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation provide access to MANY resources and discounts for hundreds of museum professionals employed by New York City and the State.

The Board of Directors of The Museum Association of New York is pleased to announce the appointment of Sarah Van Anden as the new executive director effective April 7, 2025.

With decades of experience as an advocate, and exemplified leadership in museum engagement, expertise in fundraising and program development, and deep commitment to strengthening New York’s museum community as a whole, we are thrilled to welcome her as the new leader of the association.

Sarah brings a wealth of expertise and vision to MANY as the association advances our mission and vision in a climate of change MANY continues to raise the standard of service and professionalism for membership.

Sarah distinguished career expands through 15 years of experience in museum leadership, nonprofit management, and cultural advocacy. Most recently, she served as Programs & Finance Director at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, where she expanded funding, strengthened professional networks, and supported leadership development for museum professionals nationwide. Previously, she worked at the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, overseeing annual funding for more than 140 cultural organizations.

More About Sarah:
Sarah Van Anden has worked to build bridges and strengthen relationships between artists, cultural professionals, and institutions. She maintains a wide network of creative and curatorial professionals and has diverse experience in collection and archive management, museum engagement, program design, communications, fundraising, strategic philanthropy, and nonprofit administration.

Previously, as Programs & Finance Director at the Center for Curatorial Leadership, Sarah led program planning, fundraising, communications, and strategic initiatives, working with Fellows, alumni, supporters, and the Board of Trustees to develop and carry out the organization’s full schedule of activities. Earlier in her career, Sarah was a Program Officer with the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. There, as a member of the Programs Unit, she oversaw a portfolio of more than 140 New York City cultural organizations and helped distribute over $30 million annually through the Cultural Development Fund, the city’s open, competitive funding process for arts nonprofits. In an earlier position at the Shelley and Donald Rubin family office, Sarah was part of the curatorial team responsible for organizing exhibitions and programs extending from the Rubins’ philanthropic activities centered on art and social justice. Her additional experiences include roles with Eric Firestone Gallery, Ford Foundation Gallery, McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Art in America magazine, the Center for the History of Collecting at the Frick Art Reference Library, and Research and Academic Programs at the Clark Art Institute. She also previously served as vice president and treasurer on the board of AIGA NY (the New York chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts).

Sarah received her M.A. in the History of Art from Williams College, where she focused on art collecting in early modern Europe. She began higher education at the Community College of Philadelphia before completing her B.A. at Temple University and Tyler School of Art with a dual major in History and Art History.

Reflecting on her appointment, Ms. Van Anden shared: “MANY is an exceptional community, and the vibrant diversity of its membership is its greatest strength. I am truly honored to join as its next Executive Director. I believe in the transformative power of museums, and I am excited to support the advancement of institutions of all sizes in New York. I, too, am steadfast in my commitment to help shape a better future for our member organizations, their staffs, and the communities they serve. I’m thrilled to work with MANY’s board, staff and membership to bring its resources to the lives of New York residents and visitors, while advocating for museums across the state.”

As we prepare for our conference next week, “we salute and thank our interim executive director and past board member Ms. Sheila McDaniel for steering and steadying the ship and making sure we didn’t miss a beat,” said MANY Board Georgette Grier-Key. We also congratulate Sheila on her new role as the new COO for the International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina.

“We have great anticipation and expectancy as we begin this new chapter for MANY. We are strong and resilient. The MANY board and dedicated staff are positioned to succeed, I’m looking forward to working with Sarah on this new Journey”, said Georgette Grier-Key.

We hope you join us in welcoming Sarah at MANY’s 2025 annual conference in Ithaca stop by say hello and introduce yourself and your museum.

Dear MANY Members,

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for museums and museum professionals across the state. We believe that museums play a vital role in shaping a more informed and compassionate society by engaging diverse communities and offering valuable opportunities for learning and growth. They serve as record keepers of our shared histories, preserving and interpreting the stories that shape our collective identity.

 As an organization dedicated to the advancement of best practices and institutional strength, MANY remains focused on empowering museums to enhance their impact, provide relevant programs, and engage with people from all walks of life. We recognize the importance of ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background or identity, feel welcome in these spaces.

 We are deeply concerned about the impact of recent shifts away from support for initiatives that promote diverse and inclusive approaches. These efforts are crucial for the continued growth and relevance of cultural institutions. We stand firm in our belief that museums must continue to evolve and support environments that reflect the rich diversity of our communities.

 MANY will continue to advocate for the resources and opportunities that allow museums to thrive, offering professional development, strategic training, and networking to strengthen their capacity to serve all people. We remain committed to collaborating with partners at the local, state, and national levels to ensure the continued success of museums in all their forms.

Board of Directors
The Museum Association of New York

The exhibition will be on view from February 20th through April 6th, 2025

The Museum Association of New York (MANY) today announced the next stop for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service Museum on Main Street exhibition Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will be the Long Island Museum (LIM) in Stony Brook, NY.

“Long Island is full of inspiring stories of civic engagement and significant “firsts” in America’s 250 years of democratic history for civil rights and women’s rights,” said MANY Agora Project Fellow Ren Lee. “We are thrilled to work with the Long Island Museum as they use Voices and Votes as a launching point to engage with their community.”

The only Smithsonian Affiliate Institution in the Nassau-Suffolk region, LIM collects, preserves, interprets, and celebrates Long Island’s richly diverse past and its storied role in our nation’s history. 

“The Long Island Museum is honored to be involved in this statewide conversation about democracy,” said Co-Executive Director Joshua Ruff. “In our response exhibition and planned programs, we will especially explore how political participation throughout our region has expanded and been a shifting, challenging, and inspirational terrain over time.”

Building the Ballot Box will examine the role this region played in history from the Women’s suffrage movement, Civil Rights, and other movements in political history. This exhibition features key artifacts, including the Suffrage Wagon that traveled across New York State for public events advocating women’s suffrage in 1917. Other objects highlight regional trailblazers such as Shirley Chisholm, the first Black U.S. Congresswoman, and Geraldine Ferraro, the first female candidate nominated for Vice President by a major political party.

MANY is the statewide organizer for the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s Museum on Main Street Program, which previously brought the “Water/Ways” exhibition to six New York museums in 2019. The Museum on Main Street program offers traveling exhibitions, educational resources, and programming across America to communities through local museums, historical societies, and other cultural venues.

The Voices and Votes exhibition will be on view in the Cowles Gallery of LIM’s History Museum. Building the Ballot Box will be on view directly adjacent to Voices and Votes, in the History Museum’s Main Gallery. These exhibitions will be accompanied by a series of programs, including a drop-in day for Girl Scouts on Friday, February 21st. For a full description of the exhibitions and programs, visit the Long Island Museum’s website: https://longislandmuseum.org/.

This exhibition is supported through a Market New York grant awarded by Empire State Development and I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism.

Learn more about the New York State tour of the Voices and Votes exhibition at https://agoranewyork.org/ and preview the full schedule of programming and events happening at the Long Island Museum.

 

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Voices and Votes is a Museum on Main Street (MoMS) exhibition developed by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It’s based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. It has been made possible in New York State by the Museum Association of New York. Support for MoMS in New York State has been provided by the United States Congress.

“A New Agora for New York: Museums as Spaces for Democracy” humanities discussion programs are made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Additional funding from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation supports public events, community exhibitions, free public lectures, workshops for teachers, and community discussion programs.