SCHUMER, AFTER VISIT TO CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS, ANNOUNCES $820,000 HE JUST SECURED IN SENATE FUNDING BILL TO EXPAND PROGRAMS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN & BOOST EDUCATION INITIATIVES; VOWS TO FIGHT FOR FUNDING IN FINAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL

Senator Has Long Been One Of The Corning Museum Of Glass’s Advocates, Delivering A Critical $10+M In Relief During The Height Of The COVID Pandemic To Keep Staff On Payroll Through The Schumer-Led Save Our Stages Program In The American Rescue Plan

New Funding Will Expand Museum’s K-12 STEAM Education Initiatives & Target Expansion Of Outreach To Schools In Upstate NY Beyond Southern Tier

Schumer: Corning Museum Of Glass Is A Crown Jewel Of The Southern Tier’s Arts & Tourist Economy

After visiting the Corning Museum of Glass earlier this week, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced he has secured $820,000 in the pending fiscal year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill for the museum to expand educational initiatives at the museum for local school children in Steuben County and across New York. Photos of Schumer’s visit to the museum are attached.

“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.

"Hosting Senator Schumer at the Museum is always a pleasure," said Karol Wight, president and executive director of the Corning Museum of Glass. "We are deeply grateful for the Senator's ongoing support of our programs. His efforts to secure Congressionally directed funding will enable us to expand our STEAM initiatives, both on and off campus, reaching historically underserved school districts across New York. These programs, which align with New York State education standards, will include at least two deployments of our Mobile Hot Shop, bringing hands-on learning experiences directly to students."

This federal funding secured by Schumer in the Senate appropriations bill will help the museum expand its educational initiatives with a focus on school-based tours and expanding access to historically underserved school districts. 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. 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. This funding will also help the museum reach schools and students beyond the Southern Tier.

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 is now fighting to deliver this funding in a final, full-year FY25 appropriations bill that Congress must pass.

Schumer has a long history of fighting to support the Corning Museum of Glass. Schumer helped save the museum from closing after the pandemic by delivering $10.5 million in relief, including $5.5 million from the Save Our Stages grant program, which he created in the American Rescue Plan as his first act as Majority Leader. This helped the museum keep nearly 200 staff on payroll during the pandemic.

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