April 6, 2022
STATEWIDE ADVOCACY

On Tuesday, February 8, Governor Wolf presented his Executive Budget for 2022-2023 before PA's House and Senate.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has heard testimony from various state agencies since it began its hearings on February 22 . The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC)'s Executive Director Andrea Lowery, testified on March 17 and fielded questions from committee members. PHMC shared its appropriations request prior to the hearing. Senators keyed in on the PHMC's activities in Historic Preservation, the number of visitors to PHMC's sites and museums, the new Pennsylvania Archives construction project, and marketing for the agency. You can watch the PHMC's testimony here.

As is usually the case, other budget proposals from the respective Senate and House caucuses are under development as placeholders such as this one from the Senate Republicans and this one from the House Democrats. Pennsylvania's revenues continue to be robust going into this budget season, as the Pennsylvania Capital-Star's John Micek reported in this column from Monday.

Both the House and Senate have session days on the calendar in April, and then both chambers will be out until May 23. Both the Senate and the House will be in session most of June. With Pennsylvania's primary elections on May 17 weighing on political minds in Harrisburg, it is likely budget negotiations will begin in earnest in late May with about a month left before the June 30th deadline to have a budget in place.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR THE HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM

In Pennsylvania’s many diverse communities, PHMC's iconic blue and gold markers are history lessons, travelers' guideposts, tourist attractions, and sources of pride. 

New markers are approved and dedicated each year to reflect the commonwealth's interesting and important history. This year, nominations must be submitted through PA-SHARE, an online database.

Nominations must be received on or before the NEW annual deadline of June 1.

CHALLENGE AMERICA GRANTS DEADLINE 4/28/22

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Challenge America program offers an entry point to NEA funding and support to small organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.

Please click here for more information.
PA MUSEUMS IN THE NEWS

The Sentinel reported that the Cumberland County Historical Society received and is exhibiting items from a significant donation.

Erie News Now shared that the expERIEnce Children's Museum received support from the Ronald McDonald House.

6abc featured the Please Touch Museum's post pandemic comeback.

The Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs' show Inside PA Boroughs highlighted PA Museums, the Conocheague Institute, and the Allison Antrim Museum.

TribLive covered Medal of Honor Day at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum.

Penn State announced a new gift to enable students to have immersive museum experiences.

Lancasteronline explored Millersville University students' discoveries at Mennonite Life's 1719 Museum.
CALL FOR PODCAST PROPOSALS

Saint Vincent College is looking for proposals for podcast development around topics related to masks and masking on people as reflected in history, culture, science, and daily life. Individuals from all disciplines and backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Proposals for podcasts will be accepted until May 31, 2022 and are open to any applicant or group.

Please click here for more information.
PA MUSEUMS CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Register now for the PA Museums' Annual Conference taking place on Zoom, April 25-29. Check out our preliminary program. You can attend some or all of the conference, and all are welcome.


PA Museums is offering 4 tiers of registration. We are doing this to ensure access to conference content to the largest number of people as possible. 
MEMBERSHIP

PA Museums updated job listings at our website. If your museum has an open position, please send us your announcements.

Pennsylvania's Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) recently created CommonGoods, an online e-commerce directory. Feel free to email us for a complete toolkit if your museum's shop is interested in being included. 
RECOMMENDED


Colleen Dilenschneider wrote about the competition, and you may be surprised to learn it's a piece of furniture.

The 1950 census records opened up a few days ago. This is a new resource for historians and family researchers worth checking out.