The Senedd election will be held on 7 May. This is a key opportunity for the museum sector to advocate for the value of museums to society.

In partnership with the Welsh Fed, we’re encouraging all our members in Wales to contact their local candidates to ask: what commitments are you making to support museums?

Here’s how:

  1. Search for your local candidates on the Electoral Commission website by entering your postcode or the postcode of your museum.
  2. Contact your local candidates using the template email below. You may wish to add more information to the template such as the role of your museum in the local community or the challenges your museum is facing. You also may wish to invite them to visit the museum.

If you are a charity, remember that you must not support or oppose a political party or candidate. However, you can contact your local representatives, raise the profile of your causes, and even support or oppose specific policies advocated by a political party if it relates to your charitable purposes. More information about rules that charities must follow in the run up to an election can be found via the Charity Commission.

Template email

Dear [insert candidate’s name here],

I am contacting you as you are standing as a candidate in my constituency.

I am the [insert role title here] at [insert museum name here] and I would like to know what commitments you are making to support museums such as the one I work in.

Museums in Wales are at the heart of their local communities. They provide a sense of place – Cynefin – and belonging – Perthyn – and work with their communities on crucial topics such as environmental sustainability and social justice.

I would be delighted to welcome you to visit the museum to see firsthand the value of the museum to the local community and how we are supporting the Priorities for Culture. Please contact me at [insert phone/email here] to arrange your visit.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

[insert name here]