Providing advocacy, promoting best practices, and fostering the exchange of ideas for the Illinois museum community

IAM Statement about IMLS Funding

Illinois Association of Museums joins the chorus of organizations and industry leaders in vigorous opposition to the actions that have been taken this past week at the Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), the primary federal funding entity for museums nationwide. The American public overwhelmingly support museums as they are essential to our quality of life, preserving history, art, and culture, aiding our understanding of complex issues, and providing education and entertainment. Museums are integral components of our infrastructure, serving as significant economic contributors, and the reduction of IMLS will jeopardize millions of dollars in funding, adversely affecting communities across the country. The repercussions of these changes will be felt by everyday Americans as their cherished museums and libraries weaken. IMLS has provided essential funding for research, preservation, exhibitions, and scholarship that deepens our understanding of the world around us, showcasing America’s stories. As we advocate for continued museum funding, we must also ensure that these funds remain available for all, reflecting the freedom to share America’s broader history. We urge the Illinois museum community and its supporters and allies to voice their concerns against these considerable changes at IMLS.