The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana will be joining in a statewide celebration of Iowa’s museums by participating in Iowa Museum Week this June 7-13.   Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Iowa Museum Week will be virtual, raising awareness of the many aspects of museum work over the course of the week.

On Monday, social media will highlight the different types of organizations that encompass the “museum” scope, and share some factoids. On Tuesday, museum workers will show their pride with “I’MA Pro” posts.  On Wednesday, museums will express thanks to their many volunteers and ask their volunteers to share photos and stories.  Thursday will be an opportunity for museums to share stories from the past with #throwbackthursday.  Friday museums will share their impact and Saturday they will share the love, highlighting the strengths of another Iowa museum.

Iowans may follow the week’s buzz and special offers on social media by checking the hashtag #IowaMuseumWeek.

Iowa Museum Week is an initiative of the Iowa Museum Association (IMA), of which The Theatre Museum of Repertoire Americana is a member. “The Iowa Museum Association is proud to count 85% of Iowa museums as members,” IMA Director Cynthia Sweet noted. “The IMA serves as a communication and resource hub, provides educational opportunities, and advocates on behalf of the field.  Iowa museums are significant community assets, providing employment, purchasing goods and services, and attracting businesses as well as tourism to their communities.  In addition, they are educators, providing lifelong learning opportunities, for all ages.  The stewardship role of the museum industry is incredibly important, encompassing everything from heritage seeds and plants to wildlife to archival documents, art, and historic places.”

The National Governors Association has reported that businesses looking to relocate want access to cultural resources and museums. Sweet stated, “Museums are vital to a healthy local and state economy. Not only are they employers and consumers of goods and services, communities wishing to attract new business and industry invest in and support their cultural infrastructure.”

Iowa museum factoids:

• Iowa’s 400 museums range from arboretums to zoos. While museums are different in many ways, they are all educational collecting organizations, providing careful stewardship for future generations.
• Iowa museums offer over 60,000 public programs every year, many of them free.
• By providing learning in an “active” environment, museums offer all ages unique ways to learn, fostering lifelong interests. Active learning environments such as those offered by museums allow for choice and encourage problem solving, critical thinking skills, and creativity.
• The American Alliance of Museums reports that the nonprofit arts and cultural industry annually generates over $135 billion in economic activity, supporting more than 4.1 million full-time jobs and returning over $22 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue.

To find a museum near you or for more information visit IowaMuseums.org or contact Cynthia Sweet at Director@IowaMuseums.org.