MUSEUM AMERICA

Imagine for a moment the year is 1888. It’s January and—magically—you’ve been transported to 19th-century Washington, D.C. 

Fortuitously, you arrive just in time to be included among 33 of the city’s elite who have been invited to gather—in words that now echo across history:

“… for the purpose of considering the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.”  

On that auspicious day 135 years ago, you are being asked to help start the National Geographic Society.

Now back to reality and 21st-century Washington. Specifically, back to May 2016 and the annual meeting of the American Alliance of Museums. Again—fortuitously—you’ve arrived for the first public showing of Museum America. 

Its mission? To make every visit to any museum even more rewarding for millions of new members and supporters who love art, science, history, and culture.

Curators and directors among the 3,000 in attendance call Museum America “stunning, captivating, long overdue… a National Geographic for the world of museums.”

Its superpower? Museum America turns readers into visitors by granting new subscribers membership privileges at participating museums.

As you would expect, those readers respond with delight. They purchase tickets to exhibitions and attend events. They make museums the center of their travel and social life. They buy gifts, donate money, sponsor programs—even bequeath estates.

Museum professionals are equally enthusiastic. They recognize Museum America is an engine for gaining support. Ideal for telling stories, promoting exhibitions, making sales.

And because every museum that places an ad in its pages is guaranteed to reach 500 new local visitors, Museum America is especially effective for building the membership of museums that support the magazine.

YOUR ROLE

While a place on the Advisory Board of Museum America may only require a few hours of your time during the year, your contributions will have an immediate impact and widespread influence.

So fair warning: If you accept this invitation, expect more than your name and picture to be included in the masthead of each issue. Expect your ideas to be included. Your insights and innovations celebrated. Your name prominent among the leaders shaping the future of museums.

• Our editor, Richard James Havis will share his vision with you as we develop Museum America. He’ll seek your opinions on what to feature and who to profile. He’ll welcome columns that highlight your specialty and expertise. Indeed your thoughts on the events, exhibitions, trends, and controversies driving the world of museums will be central to the magazine’s coverage.

• Likewise, I’ll share with you our business plans. You’ll discover how Museum America develops audiences and rewards members. How it creates awareness and captures attention for its marketing partners. And how its new media strategies—in print, online, and at events—work to build the brands and reputations of museums in ways that generate revenue and renown. 

NEXT STEPS

Museum America unites visitors with the museums they love to the sustaining benefit of both. If that’s a future you embrace, please join the Museum America Advisory Board.

I look forward to your reply and thanking you with a small gift we have arranged to welcome new Board Members.

—Richard Riccelli, Publisher

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