The IAM is a private, non-profit organization and the only state-wide grassroots group devoted to serving Idaho museums. Established in the late 1970s, the IAM is a volunteer organization funded by membership and conferences fees, and since 1990, interest from a small endowment from the Idaho Centennial Commission.

Despite its meager budget, the IAM has an excellent record of accomplishments. It publishes a newsletter three times a year, holds annual conferences, and through grants has offered statewide workshops on conservation, volunteer programs, traveling exhibits, and educational programs. The IAM's most visible and widely distributed project is the brochure, Discover Idaho's Museums, which is funded by the Idaho Travel Council.

As an advocate for Idaho museums over the past years the IAM successfully lobbied the Idaho Legislature to pass a law allowing tax credits for donations to museums, and later convinced the legislature to approve a bill to exempt Idaho museums from paying sales taxes on purchases and admissions income.

The governing body is made up of representatives from three Idaho regions and four at-large representatives. The 2010 officers are Alyse Cadez, President; Mary Reed, Vice-President; Ann Curtis, Secretary; and Laurie Baker, Treasurer.

The Idaho Association of Museums represents 70 member institutions that span almost as many topics of interest. The IAM Board represents all regions of the state and a cross-section of the diversity of its members.

IAM Officers and Board Members, 2010

President:
Alyse Cadez, Ed. Specialist/ Volunteer Coordinator, Nez Perce National Historical Park

Vice President:
Mary Reed, Pullman WA

Secretary:
Ann Curtis, Director, Payette County Historical Society

Treasurer:
Laurie Baker, Curator, Eagle Historical Museum


Representatives:

Northern Region
Lyle Wirtanen, Director, Historical Museum at St. Gertrude
Jim McReynolds, Director, Wallace District Mining Museum

Southwestern Region
Laurie Baker, Curator, Eagle Historical Museum
Ann Curtis, Museum Coordinator, Payette County Historical Society

Southeastern Region
Kelsey Salsbery, Director of Marketing, Idaho Museum of Natural History
Reed Philips, Director, Don Aslett's Museum of Clean

At-Large Representatives:
Patty Miller, Director, Basque Museum and Cultural Center
Mary Reed, Pullman WA
Ann Ferguson, Curator, Bonner County Historical Museum
Alyse Cadez, Ed. Specialist/ Volunteer Coordinator, Nez Perce National Historical Park


Advisory Committee:
Jody Ochoa, Director, Idaho State Historical Museum
Teresa Nelson, Pocatello, ID