Advocacy Alert, 2025 Conference Session Proposals, Programming Update ARCS Update Vol 10 Issue 6
March 17, 2025 | ARCS NewsAdvocacy Alert
President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) on March 14, 2025 aimed at continuing the reduction of the federal bureaucracy, which includes further cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This move comes at a time when IMLS is already operating at minimal capacity. IMLS plays a crucial role in supporting museum collections management by providing essential resources and funding to museums across all 50 states and territories. If enacted, this EO would severely undermine the agency, threatening the preservation and accessibility of cultural and historical collections nationwide.
The American Alliance of Museums has created the following to speak up and save this program. Please share with colleagues and your personal networks.
AAM Guide to Save IMLS (opens in a new window)
2025 Conference Session Proposals Now Open!
Care of collections is powered through people. As stewards, our priorities can often be divided between holding onto the past and preserving it for the future, while the importance of the present moment can be out of focus. During this time of uncertainty, our present actions have never mattered more to sustaining, solidifying and affirming the important work of our field.
PRESENT tense is a time of action when collaboration between, within, among, and around colleagues, communities, cities, states and nations has profound importance. The Association of Registrars and Collection Specialists invites you to join us at our 2025 conference to share bold, ambitious, and unique actions through ideas of interconnectedness, listening, and caretaking in service of the care of our collections in the PRESENT tense.
Important Dates
- March 2025 - Request for Proposals Opens
- April 27, 2025 - Proposals Closed
- July 2025 - Registration Opens
- August 2025 - Hotel Block Opens
- November 18-21, 2025 - Conference
Get Involved with ARCS! Committee Membership
ARCS is seeking interested and motivated collections professionals to serve as volunteers on ARCS committees and task forces as we continue to provide new opportunities to benefit our members.
The following committee positions are open:
- 2025 St. Louis Conference Content Committee Members
- Advocacy Committee Members
- Nominations Committee Committee Members
- Webinars & Workshops Committee Chair
Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide - Survey Request
The Indigenous Collections Care (ICC) Guide has been developed to provide a framework to respect and recenter collections stewardship practices around the needs and knowledge of Native American and Indigenous community members. This framework encompasses materials both within and beyond the scope of NAGPRA.
The ICC Guide speaks to individuals engaged in collections stewardship within museums and collecting institutions. It is aimed specifically at museum professionals, emerging and established, and individuals who are seeking clarification, support, and validation to pursue culturally appropriate care. The Guide also recognizes the need for administrative support for implementation.
As the Guide nears completion, they are asking for your time to take this 5-7 minute survey.
The goal of this survey is to capture the current perceptions and actions related to culturally appropriate collections stewardship. It will also help inform how the ICC Guide is disseminated and shared with the museum field.
Survey Link (opens in a new window)
Programming Update
Virtual Meetups "Am I the Fool?"
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 7:00 p.m. EST
Back by popular demand - it's the annual April Fool's inspired Meet Up "Am I the Fool?". In this virtual meetup, the joke is NOT on you! No questions are foolish here! Join your colleagues for an open forum to ask questions, provide support and advice, and share wisdom and anecdotes about those unexpected situations that arise in our everyday work as collections professionals.
Fees
Free!
2025 Emergency Webinar Series
During this five-part workshop series, registrars, collection specialists, and other museum professionals will be presented with in-depth training on collections emergency preparedness and response. You can still join!
Schedule
January 27-March 24, 2025
Webinar Five: Re-Entry Safety & Utilizing Damage Assessments March 24, 2025, 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET
Fees
Members $10.00 per webinar
Non-Members $20.00 per webinar
