----------------------------Original message---------------------------- AAM Government Affairs is sending the following bulletin to members of the Museum Advocacy Team. *URGENT MESSAGE TO MUSEUM ADVOCACY TEAM* From: Ed Able, President & CEO April 11, 1997 Things are heating up as the NEA and NEH are coming under heavy fire from opponents in Congress. In a barrage of letters to their colleagues, they are circulating the same old tired charges: that the agencies are un-American and unconstitutional, that th ey mainly fund filth, that government corrupts art, etc., etc. As always, Mapplethorpe, Serrano and Sprinkle figure prominently (no pun intended) in these letters. The attacks are motivated by reports that the House leadership was softening in its opposition to the agencies. It's necessary to respond. We are asking museum advocates to write to their members of Congress in both the House and the Senate. Let them know that the charges leveled against the agencies are baseless, and urge them to stand firm in support of the age ncies. Here are a few talking points: 1) The agencies are about providing access to the best our culture has to offer to the broadest possible audience. 2) The arts and humanities are non-partisan and both agencies enjoy support from both sides of the aisle. 3) Only a tiny minority of grants are controversial. 4) The agencies have helped to spread cultural activities across the nation. 5) Their budgets should be increased, not further diminished. Of course, any information you can impart about how your own institution and community have benefited from the agencies would help to make your case. As always, it would be helpful for us to have copies of any correspondence you send and/or receive. If you have any questions about how to contact your members of Congress, contact AAM Government Affairs at 202-289-9125; FAX 289-6578; email [log in to unmask] Remember that most members of Congress can be contacted electronically now. You can access a gateway to Congress through AAM's website: http://www.aam-us.org (it's new and improved -- check it out!). By the way, we are working on a large variety of issues, including (for example) tax, copyright, education, and transportation. Please feel free to ask us for information on developments in these fields -- and we'll be in touch if we need you. Thanks! --------------- Andy Finch AAM Government Affairs [log in to unmask]