ADVOCACY

OMA Statement in Support of Museum Professionals and Inclusive Storytelling

The Oregon Museums Association (OMA) stands in strong support of museum professionals who are facing censorship and pressure for the work they do to share history honestly and inclusively. Museum professionals are entrusted with preserving and interpreting stories that reflect the full diversity of our communities. When their work is restricted or silenced, entire histories risk being erased, and the public is denied the opportunity to learn from a wide range of voices and experiences.

Museums are not just collections of objects — they are places where stories come alive. The dedication of museum professionals ensures that all people have the opportunity to see themselves represented, to hear the stories of others, and to engage in meaningful dialogue about the past, present, and future. Efforts to suppress this work undermine the power of museums to build understanding, empathy, and connection across differences.

OMA stands with museum professionals across the nation who continue to uphold the values of inclusive research, education, and storytelling. We affirm the importance of supporting their efforts to share knowledge from many perspectives and to amplify voices that have too often been left out of history.

OMA also stands in solidarity with other museum organizations, including the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), in affirming these values and opposing efforts to silence or censor museum professionals. We urge community members, educators, and policymakers to recognize and defend the vital role of museum professionals in shaping an honest, diverse, and inclusive narrative of our shared history.

Join our Advocacy Committee

We are looking for members with advocacy experience (or enthusiasm) to join OMA's Advocacy Committee.

• Read about our committees.
• Fill out a volunteer form if you are interested.

Use the OMA forum

We recommend that members use the OMA forum to share advocacy news and updates. You must be a member and register online to use the forum. Recent posts include a sign-on letter for Oregon museum funding, and requests for feedback on how the pandemic is affecting your work.