At this time of crisis, the Museums Council of New York City stands in solidarity with the Black community, and we support our members’ commitments, discussions, and actions to affirm that Black Lives Matter. Core to the Museums Council mission is the raising up, sharing, and promotion of the voices and work of our not-for-profit member museums. As our institutions—which employ, serve, and represent New York City’s diverse residents—fight to eliminate internal structural racism and seek racial justice and equity, we remain committed to our forum of cross-institutional exchange and communication. 
 
We are likewise learning, evaluating, and examining our own structures, biases, and actions at this time, particularly in areas of membership and executive committee representation. We commit to transparency with you, the Museums Council community, and your employees throughout this process. For over 80 years, our organization has provided a forum for dialogue and networking between museum staff, and we are actively working to recognize and take steps to dismantle biases that are present in this work. The MCNYC joins you in our commitment to the critical work that is needed to equitably be inclusive to all voices. We welcome your feedback. 
 
The Museums Council of New York City Executive Committee
info@museumscouncil.org

​The Museums Council of New York City was founded in 1939 to improve professional museum practice through the exchange of knowledge and experience regarding the educational and cultural functions of museums. Membership is restricted to institutions that are not-for-profit, permanent establishments with a duly elected Board of Trustees, and operated in the public interest for the purpose of preserving, studying, interpreting, and exhibiting objects and specimens of educational and cultural value, including artistic, scientific, and historical materials. Museums thus defined include botanical gardens, libraries, zoological parks, aquaria, planetaria, historical societies and historic houses and sites. Meetings are held bimonthly at member institutions to offer staff an opportunity to view the host institution’s special exhibitions and learn about their exhibitions and programs going forward. In addition, they can share ideas with museum colleagues about exhibits, business, educational programs, and other current events in the museum and exhibition field.