The Maryland Museums Association (MMA), founded in 1995, is a volunteer-managed alliance of institutions that collect, hold, interpret, and protect the material and cultural heritage of the Free State.

MMA applied for and received funding from competitive grant programs at the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, Preservation Maryland, and Maryland Historical Trust, to commission an economic impact study of Maryland’s museum sector.

Through the work of the selected consultant, this study will measure and interpret the statewide and local economic contributions of museums, contextualize these findings within related industries (e.g., tourism, recreation, revitalization), and provide a final report suitable for widespread use and distribution for industry reference, public awareness, legislative advocacy, and/or goal-setting purposes.

Deliverables include a review of existing museum and allied industry impact reports, a spreadsheet of currently operating museums in Maryland, an IMPLAN (or similar) economic impact report with narrative analysis in a report with charts and graphics. Consultant will conduct interviews, listening sessions, and an online survey to inform the final report. 

All deliverables are due in March 2025 for a contract value not to exceed $12,5000. Please submit your full responses to the Maryland Museums Association by November 21, 2025. The full RPF can be found here: https://www.mdmuseums.org/projects.