The Museum Association of New York’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to postpone the Annual Conference and Museum and Folk Art Forum until later in 2020.
An announcement sent to members and supporters said: “Although this decision was made because the health and well-being of our museum community comes first, it has severe financial consequences for the Museum Association of New York.”
MANY also said they are exploring options for issuing vouchers for 2021 or applying conference registration fees to programs planned for the fall. Several conference participants who cancelled asked us to keep their registration as a donation, the group said, adding “we are grateful for any and all support at this time.”
Those who would like a refund, should contact MANY staff directly by emailing info@nysmuseums.org or calling (518) 273-3400 before March 20, 2020, the original registration cancellation date. No requests for refunds are being considered after that date.
MANY is coordinating with the New York State Council on the Arts and the William G. Pomeroy Foundation staff regarding the dispositions of professional development grants, and is expected to reach out to recipients. Sponsors will be contacted separately.
Each Friday at noon, MANY will be hosting a virtual MANY Meet Up via Zoom. During the first one, this Friday, March 20, they will answer questions regarding COVID-19 response resources available to museums, and then offer a social media crash course on staying staying connected museum members and communities. Other programs to support the museum community are expected in the coming weeks.
“We are relying on our partners at the New York Council of Nonprofits for guidance in several areas of operations,” and announcement sent to members and supporters said.
MANY staff are expected to remain connected by phone, email, social media, and website forums. For questions, or help logging into your MANY profile to post information or questions to the member forum, or assistance reaching appropriate governing authorities, email info@nysmuseums.org or call (518) 273-3400.
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