The California State Legislature unanimously passed a bill yesterday with bipartisan support to recognize the essential role that museums have in the State of California as educational institutions.
Santa Cruz, CA, May 27, 2014 – The California State Legislature unanimously passed a bill yesterday with bipartisan support to recognize the essential role that museums have in the State of California as educational institutions. This overwhelming endorsement complements a program underway to put the beloved beagle Snoopy on California license plates and help fund the state’s museums at the same time. In recognition of California Museums Month, Californians are invited to visit www.snoopyplate.com to pre-order their Snoopy license plates and support the vital work of museums in preserving and sharing our State’s culture and heritage.
Assembly member Ian Calderon (D-Whittier) introduced ACR 115 California Museums Month, a measure that designates May 2014 as California Museum Month and invites all Californians to recognize and celebrate the vital role museums serve as educational institutions. “California museums play an essential role in our state,” stated Assembly member Calderon in a press release. “They are not only the key drivers of tourism, but also an excellent source of educational programs that enhance a student’s learning experience.” Assembly member Calderon is the Chair of the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media.
The license plate features a reproduction of an original drawing of Snoopy by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz. Proceeds from sales will establish a competitive grant program to support California’s museums, administered by the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE), a State entity.
In less than four months, over 3,800 Californians have pre-ordered the special interest license plate to support museums – which is more than half the number needed to establish the program. The Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing the Snoopy license plates upon receipt of 7,500 paid applications.
The Snoopy plate is also an opportunity to commemorate Santa Rosa cartoonist and cultural icon Charles Schulz. Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz, the Schulz family, and Peanuts Worldwide are generously allowing access to the original drawing for this special plate.
The California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) was established at the California State Library in 2003. AB 482 (Atkins) transferred the CCHE to the California Natural Resources Agency in 2014. CCHE grants have helped to preserve the many historic treasures that are California’s cultural legacy. Current funding for CCHE projects is from voter-approved Proposition 40 bonds from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002. Approximately $122 million was appropriated to CCHE to distribute competitively for the acquisition, restoration, preservation and interpretation of historical and cultural resources. http://resources.ca.gov/cche/
The California Association of Museums (CAM) is a non-profit service organization representing the interests of California’s 1,400 museums, including art and history museums, aquariums, natural history museums, science centers, children’s museums, zoos, cultural centers, and botanical gardens. CAM assists California museums in fulfilling their missions as educational and research institutions that interpret and preserve art and cultural and scientific collections for public benefit. www.calmuseums.org
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands. The company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising, and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
Photos and images available at Celeste DeWald, http://www.calmuseums.org/snoopypress, cam@calmuseums.org.
Contact:
Celeste DeWald
California Association of Museums (CAM)
P.O. Box 1455
Santa Cruz, CA 95061-1455
831-471-9970
cam@calmuseums.org
http://www.calmuseums.org
