Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Supporters, 

MANY is stronger today than ever before. MANY continues to support, build, and uplift our members and its Board of Directors and dedicated staff have guided us through the current leadership transition with clarity so that MANY's important service to the field has not wavered. The great work of our members, individuals, and organizations speak to the incredible work of MANY. Over the last couple of years, we have seen the reopening of the new Buffalo AKG Art Museum, the groundbreaking in Albany of the Underground Railroad Education Center’s new Interpretive Center, and the launch of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Museum on Main Street “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” and “A New Agora for New York” humanities discussion series. We are so proud to be the designated partner for the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum on Main Street program, circulating Smithsonian-created exhibitions across New York State and facilitating capacity-building programming.  

"Voices and Votes" installation workshop at Preservation Long Island, March 2024

“Our community was excited and proud to host a Smithsonian exhibition, especially one as timely as “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America.” For Preservation Long Island, participation in the larger “A New Agora for New York” project helped strengthen our local partnerships, opened our doors to new audiences, and enhanced our capacity to create programs that center community voices and perspectives. We were challenged to rise to the occasion in a transformative way and we look forward to continuing to apply the new tools and skills we acquired through this experience to future Preservation Long Island projects!” –Lauren Brincat, Preservation Long Island

MANY’s work is not only focused on today but also on securing the future of museums through leadership development. That work is anchored in our Annual Conference. In 2024, over 400 museum professionals were able to gather in person, strengthen connections, learn together, and witness an eclipse. More than 1,500 people from more than 800 organizations in 20 countries and 46 states have joined us for webinars. All the educators, historians, curators, fundraisers, administrators, visitor service staff, executive directors, facility managers, board members, and volunteers we met with this year know they are not only working to inspire their visitors today and tomorrow but building their museums to serve generations to come. We were very excited to host another Museum Institute at Great Camp Sagamore last fall, bringing together twenty museum professionals from across New York State. Our Institute continues to provide transformative opportunities for museum professionals to come together and through facilitated discussions address critical issues affecting our field.

2023 Museum Institute attendees at Great Camp Sagamore in the Adirondacks

“The Museum Institute reinforced how much intersectionality there is between cultural organizations across disciplines, and how important it is to seek out those various perspectives to make your own work better,” –Museum Institute attendee

Our advocacy in Albany has led to a million dollars in appropriation to complete a comprehensive Museum Study. The work to secure this resource has been ongoing. We are excited to share the news that the work on The Museum Study has begun with the summer release of an RFP to identify the contractor. They will take a deep dive into the need of museums across the state, small to large, rural to urban, in every discipline, art, science, history and children museums throughout our state. The resulting data and report will help paint a picture that will show the full range and impact of New York’s museums and their most critical needs. Once that data is in hand, MANY will work to respond to those needs through direct service, collaboration, and advocacy.

2024 conference attendees experiencing the solar eclipse on the Empire State Plaza in front of the NYS Capitol Building in Albany.

“Thank you for being an articulate voice for the importance of museums in New York…MANY ensures that our museum community stays strong and united by showing innovation and persistence. I am grateful to MANY for being a beacon of positivity and purpose.” –MANY Member

All this work is vital and transformative for our members. We are fortunate to have funding partners who make our work possible. But more is needed to continue these efforts. We need your support to continue this important and impactful work and expand what we do. As we have shared in the past, we want to continue to create new ways to support museums and broaden our conversations to shape a shared vision for the future of museums in New York. 

So the work continues…

If you have visited a museum in New York State, attended our conference, virtual programs or meetups, called the office for assistance or used our website to find resources, we know you value the work we do. I hope you can help us now with a donation in any amount to sustain our work into 2025 and create opportunities for us to help you for years to come.

With thanks,

Sheila McDaniel, Interim Executive Director

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