The purpose of Oklahoma Museums Week is to recognize contributions that museums and related institutions make to their communities and to the state. OMA promotes this annual celebration to remind Oklahomans that our museums and related facilities are important centers of education, research, and preservation of history and culture. Oklahoma Museums Week is co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council. Remember that International Museums Day on May 18 can also be mentioned in your publicity and program materials. To find out more information on International Museums Day visit the American Association of Museums website at www.aam-us.org/museumresources/imd.cfm.

OMA needs your assistance in making Oklahoma Museums Week a success! As a part of this important week, OMA encourages your institution to increase media communications, strengthen legislative relationships and offer additional programming.  Oklahoma museums are encouraged to use the Oklahoma Museums Week designation in news releases and other publicity scheduled for that week. A sample news release can be downloaded on the OMA website at www.okmuseums.org.

How can OMA members participate in Oklahoma Museums Week? Here is a list of possible activities:

â– Use the sample news release on the OMA website to write your own news release. Include information about special events or regular programming planned for May 18-24

â– Ask a board member or volunteer to write a letter to your local newspaper in support of local museums and their educational mission 

â– Plan and promote a special event such as a members' reception, behind-the-scenes tours, a reception for city, county and public officials, or a day of free admission

â– Museums in the same community or region can join together to distribute brochures and other materials at local shopping malls or sports events

â– Plan for a museum staff member or volunteer to visit city, county or school offices (such as your mayor's office, school superintendent, etc.) and distribute your newsletter or thank-you notes from students who have attended a museum program 

â– Request that your mayor's office or county commissioners proclaim May 18-24 as Museums Week in your community. A sample proclamation is available on the OMA website.

â– Invite state legislators and Oklahoma's U.S. congressional delegation to special events scheduled for May 18-24. Members can also send a brief note to public officials during Oklahoma Museums Week asking them to support agencies whose programs help museums (in-state: Oklahoma Arts Council; federal level: Institute of Museum and Library Services, NEA, NEH, etc.)   

â– Host a special membership reception to honor past and present board members or founders of their museum or historical society, if possible

â– Offer discounted membership rates or museum shop discounts

â– Host a free admission day in honor of Oklahoma Museums Week

â– Purchase an ad in your local paper in partnership with other museums

â– Coordinate and display new items from your museum's collection

â– Highlight the ways your museum has made your exhibitions or programs more accessible to people with disabilities

â– Host a meeting with other museums in your area to collectively promote what your institutions do for the region

â– Highlight a milestone for your institution, such as total number of visitors, school children served, exhibitions offered, or items in your collection

â– Contact your local Chamber of Commerce or Convention and Visitors Bureau about hosting a reception at your institution

â– Launch a new section of your website during the month of May

â– Partner with other local museums to provide transportation between your organizations for one day