The House Appropriations Committee last week approved a bill that if enacted would make drastic funding cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and its Office of Museum Services (OMS), for fiscal year 2025, which begins October 1, 2024.
If enacted, the bill would cut the OMS by $9.3 million by eliminating National Leadership Grants for Museums, leaving an OMS total of $46.1 million -- down from an historic high of $55.5 million.
National Leadership Grants are vital as they fund cutting edge programs that are models for the museum field at large. Recently, Made By Us, of which AASLH and many of its members are a coalition partner, received this grant to build the Youth250 program. This program will supply hundreds of history organizations with access to Gen Z input and guidance on their U.S. 250th programming.
The bill also would entirely eliminate funding for overall IMLS Research, Analysis and Data Collection ($5.6 million), which would include ending the agency's ability to conduct the first ever National Museum Survey, which it has already developed and field-tested. All of this preparatory work would be for naught, and all monies spent, wasted. In addition, overall IMLS Program Administration would be cut by $5 million (22%). Libraries were not spared: library discretionary grants were slashed by $25.2 million to $5 million in a bill that would cut education programs by 14% and would eliminate 57 programs. While these proposed cuts are unlikely to make it past the Senate and White House, it's critical for you to voice your opposition to your Representative now!
Please use the link below to fill out a contact form provided by our colleagues at the American Alliance of Museums.
The FY 2025 Appropriations process has a long way to go. Senate action has lagged behind the House. In the meantime, it's critical to oppose these drastic proposed cuts.
Thank you for your advocacy in support of IMLS! This agency provides vital support to AASLH members and your colleagues in the national history community.
