A Special Message As We Close Out the Year
Dear VAM Members, VAM Council Members, and VAM Staff,
As 2022 comes to a close, I wanted to share my gratitude and appreciation for all you do for your museums, for your communities, and for VAM. Without your gifts of time, talent, and treasure, VAM could not do the important work it needs to do.
VAM serves museums throughout the state as the largest state museum service organization in the United States with over 2,500 members. The Governing Council includes 24 members from around the state representing all geographic regions and museums. Members include the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, the Moton Museum in Farmville, the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, the US Army Museum in Fort Belvoir, the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, and institutions large and small in every corner of Virginia.
Through educational workshops, panel sessions, an annual conference, mentorship, and fellowships, VAM provides workforce development to museum professionals throughout their careers. Additionally, VAM raises visibility and funding for critical conservation needs in our Commonwealth’s collections through an annual Top Ten Endangered Artifacts program. VAM’s Top Ten program engages a broad public in learning about and supporting the conservation of artifacts, which last year included an extinct cheetah skeleton from the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville, a Civil War trunk from the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Museum in Blacksburg, and an early 20th century horse-drawn manure spreader from the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum in Loudoun. VAM also advocates for museums at the state level through its Advocacy Day program.
During this season of giving, VAM needs your donation to build upon this strong foundation of workforce development, conservation of artifacts, and advocacy for museums and the museum profession.
Click here to make a donation today! Your donation helps VAM provide our individual members with professional development opportunities, raise visibility for the conservation of artifacts, and make it possible for VAM to advocate for museums in Virginia.
I wish each of you Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Rick Hurley
Executive Director, VAM
Email: rick@vamuseums.org