SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE FOR OKLAHOMA MUSEUMS WEEK

[Retype On Your Institutional Letterhead]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[current date]

CONTACT: [contact person’s name, email and telephone number]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

[Name of Museum] Celebrates Oklahoma Museums Week

[subheading on specific activity/initiative/collaboration]

[CITY, State (DATE)] – The [your organization’s or institution’s name] is joining with other Oklahoma museums, historical societies, historic sites, zoos and botanical gardens, historic houses, living history museums, tribal cultural centers and other museum-related institutions statewide to celebrate Oklahoma Museums: It’s Time for Exploring in recognition of Oklahoma Museums Week, May 18-24. Oklahoma Museums Week is dedicated to celebrating the rich variety of museums in Oklahoma, their contributions to civic and cultural life and the unique, personal experiences museums offer visitors each and every day.

Governor Brad Henry will be proclaiming Oklahoma Museums Week as a time for communities to recognize local museums and the contributions they make to preserve Oklahoma’s rich history and culture. The week is sponsored by the Oklahoma Museums Association and the Oklahoma Arts Council. International Museum Day is May 18.

According to Brenda Granger, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Museums Association, many museums will offer special programs and events during the week of May 18-24. “With over 300 institutions in the state, museums play a major role in offering Oklahomans a wonderful variety of places to visit and incredible collections to see. These institutions also are important centers of education and preservation of community history and culture, and as a result, make great contributions not only to their communities but to the entire state,” she said.

Oklahoma museums serve as educational institutions, preservation agencies, agencies of scientific research and cultural centers; have made great strides in professional development and in service to their communities; give an appreciation and understanding of our natural and cultural heritage is essential to the quality of life for all Oklahomans; and are vital to the preservation, interpretation, and presentation of Oklahoma’s heritage.

As a statewide service organization representing the Oklahoma museum community, the mission of the Oklahoma Museums Association is to assist Oklahoma museums with their efforts to inform, educate and entertain. OMA was incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 1972 and has over 400 members. For more information on OMA, please visit

[add information about your special events or regular programs planned for May 13-19; be sure to include your institution’s hours of operation, information about your collections or programs, website, address, and telephone number]

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