Like many of our peer organizations, we, at MCN (Museum Computer Network), were alarmed today to see the dramatic scale of the proposed cuts to federal funding of America’s arts and cultural organizations. While MCN isn’t formally an advocacy agency, our members represent a wide range of information professionals from hundreds of cultural sector institutions in the United States, and around the world. We are therefore joining our colleagues at AAM, the NEA, NEH, and IMLS in registering our dismay in the proposed changes, which will significantly impact cultural life in the USA. As Philip Kennicott and Peggy McGlone of the Washington Post note: “Federal dollars are used to leverage state, local and private funding that supports a complex network of arts organizations, educational entities, museums, libraries and public broadcasting affiliates.” In other words, each federal dollar cut from arts funding will eliminate more dollars from organizational budgets: many institutions across this nation will not survive this loss of support, and the communities they serve will be severely and irreversibly impacted.
We encourage all of our members, and our broader community, to join the American Alliance of Museum’s Speak Up for Museums campaign, and demonstrate your support for these vital arts and cultural organizations.
Board of Directors, MCN
For reference, other community organizations’ statements below: