In these uncertain times, museums across New Jersey have taken action to prioritize the health and well-being of our visitors, volunteers, staff, and communities. Please find below a list of resources your institution may find helpful now and going forward.
Museum Staff Impact During COVID-19
This data sheet was started on March 14, 2020 to track the impact of COVID-19 on museum staffing across the U.S. Data has been crowd-sourced based on staff knowledge and media reports. The sheet is backed up and archived twice a week. To enter new information, please use this Google form: shorturl.at/tK013
The CARES Act passed at the end of March 2020 provides funding opportunities for museums and nonprofits.
Summary of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), from the National Council of Nonprofits
Loans Available for Nonprofits in the CARES Act (chart)
Paycheck Protection Program - PPP (Emergency Small Business 7(a) Loans)
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), US Small Business Administration
The IMLS is receiving $50 million and the NEA and NEH are receiving $75 million each in funding through the CARES Act for direct distribution to support arts and humanities organizations.
Advocacy & Data
The museum field wrote 33,000 letters to state representatives to advocate for inclusion in the relief stimulus. Persistent advocacy is imperative and collecting data on the impact of COVID-19 helps strengthen the message.
Please complete the following survey and continue advocating for Museums!
Stay Up-To-Date with Advocacy Alerts, from AAM
Advocate: Tell Congress to Include Museum in COVID-10 Economic Relief, AAM
Advocate: Urge Support for the Arts, Americans for the Arts Action Fund
New Jersey museums are fortunate to have the support of Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez as well as many Congressional representatives, but advocacy is never done. Continue to make a case for support on behalf of all museums.
New Jersey Resources
NJ Center for Non-Profits Resources in Response to COVID-19
New Jersey COVID-19 Information Hub
New Jersey Historical Commission
New Jersey Historical Commission Coronavirus Impact Survey
Other Resources
COVID-19 Resources and Response Center, Americans for the Arts
Nonprofits and COVID-19, Council of Nonprofits
COVID-19 Resources & Information for the Museum Field, American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
COVID-19 Resources, American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)
Science Centers and COVID-19 Resources
Please send any comments, questions, and issues to njassociationofmuseums@gmail.com