When the federal Labor, Health, and Human Services appropriations bill for next year is passed, it will include some good news for one local museum. During his visit to the Corning Museum of Glass this week, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced he had secured $820,000 for the Steuben County museum to expand educational initiatives for local school children.
The museum’s current school tour options include curriculum-based activities related to art, history, and science. In 2023, the museum’s Education Department served 5,479 students on school tours, 143 schools, and 135 school districts. About 20% to 30% of schools are repeat visitors year to year. Senator Schumer said this funding will support a pilot program to provide transportation to ensure access for underserved students beyond the Southern Tier, including in the Capital Region and New York City.
The museum also integrates materials for elementary, middle, and high school students using the New York State curriculum. Using both formal and informal education methods, the museum designs workbooks and modules for teachers to continue lessons begun during demonstrations at the museum so students can understand science—encompassing chemistry, physics, earth sciences, and glassmaking—through art. Schumer added the funding will also help the museum reach schools and students beyond the Southern Tier.
“The Corning Museum of Glass is a crown jewel of the Southern Tier’s arts and tourism economy, welcoming thousands of visitors from across the globe every year. Every time I am in the museum, it is a delight. That is why I fought to secure this $820,000 in federal funding to help the museum expand its education programs to support educators, local school children in Steuben County, and those beyond the Southern Tier to experience the wonderful world of glassmaking and science and rich history of Corning,” said Senator Schumer.
Schumer explained that the funding was included as a congressionally directed spending request submitted by the senator through the Department of Education in the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill that was recently approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. Schumer said he is now working to deliver this funding in a final, full-year FY25 appropriations bill that Congress must pass.
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