Museum Advocacy in Action: Building Support at the Local and State Level

This session explores how museums can effectively advocate for funding, visibility, and community support at both the local and state levels. Featuring insights from Gretchen Bulova, Virginia House of Delegates, Emily Windle, Winchester City Council, and Nathan Stalvey of the Clarke County Historical Association, participants will learn how advocacy is rooted in relationship-building, storytelling, and demonstrating community impact; not partisan politics.

Through practical examples and a real-world case studies on securing state budget amendments, attendees will gain strategies for engaging elected officials, communicating value through data and stories, navigating the legislative process, and building long-term support for their institutions. The workshop emphasizes that advocacy is an ongoing effort that helps strengthen museums and the communities they serve.