Search for the 2015 Great American Museum Advocate; An Open Call for Life-Changing Stories from Your Visitors

The American Alliance of Museums wants to know about a member of your community who can tell the most compelling story about your museum.

At Museums Advocacy Day 2014, we featured 8-year-old Spencer Hahn, who took his first steps at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and 16-year-old Simone Batiste who is pursuing a medical career after learning about science at the Chabot Space & Science Center in Oakland. In this inspiring 5-minute video we highlight Spencer and Simone’s stories. Will your visitor’s story be one we highlight next year?

“We want to hear about the museum visitor whose story gives you goose bumps—a young adult who is getting on-the-job training at your museum, a senior whose memories are stirred by experiences at the museum or a veteran who found your museum to be a place of healing,” said Alliance President Ford W. Bell. “We know your museum collects these stories, and we want to hear your favorite one.”

Tell us your most powerful visitor story: How did your museum change someone’s life? You can tell us in your own words, send us a letter you received from a visitor, or share a link to a video or photo that captures this story. Please submit your story by December 1, 2014.

From these stories, we will select a Great American Museum Advocate, who will receive an all-expense-paid trip to participate in Museums Advocacy Day 2015 and help us make the case for museums on Capitol Hill.

“Spencer and Erica’s stories epitomize the incredible things that happen at museums – lives are changed, creativity is sparked, and career opportunities are born,” said Bell. “We are searching for those visitors who have had transformational experiences through their museum visits. I encourage everyone to share those stories with us so we can share the power of those experiences with our elected leaders.”