In the challenge of the pandemic, we saw an opportunity to provide diverse emerging leaders new tools with which to help our field survive and thrive.
In March 2020, the United States started to feel the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Its impacts on the public history, historic preservation, and cultural sectors have been substantial and are ongoing. A survey in June 2020 by the American Alliance of Museums revealed that 33% of respondents were not confident they would be able to survive 16 months without additional financial relief. Furthermore, 87% of museums had only 12 months or less of financial operating reserves remaining at that time. Financial instabilities, racial inequities, and myriad other issues relevant to public history and historic preservation come to light each day, revealing our continued need for strong leadership to take us into a better future.
In April 2020, the ARCUS Leadership Program managed by Cultural Heritage Partners responded to the COVID-19 crisis by providing free professional development, including the opportunity for certification, as a membership benefit to a series of national associations serving professionals in public history, cultural resource management, historic preservation, archaeological, and anthropological disciplines. This response to the crisis was possible due to generous and stable funding provided by a 3-year, $275,000 American Express grant.
Today, eleven (11) associations are participating in this benefit, including the American Anthropological Association, American Association for State and Local History, American Cultural Resources Association, National Alliance of Preservation Commissions, National Council for Preservation Education, National Council for Public History, Register of Professional Archaeologists, Society for American Archaeology, Society for American Archivists, Society for Historical Archaeology, and Preservation Action.
Each association received a unique coupon code and communications language. More than 550 new students have enrolled since April 1, 2020. Of those, the great majority have signed up for “all courses,” indicating their intent to complete a full certificate. ARCUS certificates can be earned for 10 courses (Fundamental Certificate) or 20 courses (Professional Certificate).
These courses have provided tangible benefits to heritage professionals confronting a uniquely challenging time. Kathie Schey, City Archivist and Chair of the City of Huntington Beach (CA) Historic Resources Board, said about her experience with the ARCUS courses:
I have found that most of the courses I’ve taken related directly in some specific way to a project or dilemma I am currently dealing with…Just last night, I used my response to “Grasstops” to present ideas for lobbying and advocating to our city council (the immediate decision-makers I deal with) to our Historic Resources Board. Board members enthusiastically received and discussed these ideas and voted to move forward with them all. I never would have thought of this if not for the class and that particular assignment.
With one year of American Express funding remaining, the ARCUS Leadership Program looks forward to expanding this partnership with national associations and continuing to serve emerging leaders in public history, cultural resource management, historic preservation, archaeology, and anthropology. If you participate in an organization that may be interested in ARCUS partnership, please get in touch with Jackie Barton, ARCUS Program Manager.