NYCMER Response to COVID-19
Dear members,
We hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy and well!
Over the past week, we have been inspired by the creative ways in which museum educators have engaged learners remotely and disheartened by the toll closures have taken on our workforce. In response to evolving circumstances, we have compiled resources for your reference. These include tips for working from home, examples of virtual museum resources we can learn from, emergency funding opportunities, and supports for educators who have experienced reduced hours, furloughs, and/or job loss.
We will continue to add to this list, so check back regularly, and please email us with additions.
Unprecedented is the word of the moment, and in these trying times, we urge museum leaders, boards, and funders to do the utmost to follow through on schedule and pay commitments to educators and all staff. Museum educators are tremendous resources for developing and carrying out new virtual programs and updating existing plans. We also know that these COVID-19 closures are taking a real financial toll on museums, especially small ones. Amid continuously changing conditions, transparency and communication from leadership is essential.
With diverse students, families, and individuals figuring out life under social distancing, museum educators have so much to offer, and we need support to make that possible.
We strongly and urgently encourage our members to reach out to legislators and funders to share stories and make our case.
Through this all, we hope you are taking care of yourselves.
As shared in earlier emails, we are committed to professional development and maintaining connections among colleagues through virtual peer group meetings and programs. We will also share information soon about our plans to convert the NYCMER Annual Conference to a virtual conference.
Once again, please don’t hesitate to reach out at president@nycmer.org.
All the best,
Charlotte