On December 1, holiday shoppers can find unique gifts and products made in their communities throughout the region (and worldwide), driving economic support for local artists, businesses and cultural institutions

More than 2,100 museum stores across all 50 states, 25 countries and five continents are participating in Museum Store Sunday on December 1, 2024, offering shoppers a wide range of discounts, special events, gifts with purchase and unique, locally made items for everyone on their holiday lists.

Broad assortments of highly curated, location-specific and mission-driven items will be available to shoppers online and in person, including jewelry, clothing, children’s toys and products, home decor, books and gourmet food. Proceeds from museum store purchases support artists, small businesses and cultural institutions in shoppers’ communities.

The number of participating cultural institutions has tripled since the Museum Store Association launched Museum Store Sunday in 2017. The campaign’s new slogan, “Shop with Purpose,” reflects the organization’s mission to promote economic sustainability and cultural engagement for museums and the communities they support.

Kate Schureman, board president of the Museum Store Association, explains how shopping at cultural institutions during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend strengthens communities and their financial well-being.

“Purchasing locally made gifts at museum stores circulates money within shoppers’ communities,” Schureman said. “In turn, artists, businesses and museums in their neighborhoods have more funds to reinvest into their communities and foster local economic growth.”

A2022 study by American Express found that $0.68 of every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S. stays in the local community and every dollar spent at small businesses creates an additional $0.48 in local business activity as a result of employees and local businesses purchasing local goods and services.

“Choosing items created by neighbors and friends instead of mass-produced goods from big-box stores also encourages creativity and community pride,” Schureman continued. “Purchasing works by local creators empowers them to explore and express different perspectives, often drawing from local traditions, histories, current events and landmarks. Gifts inspired by shared experiences can feel more unique and personal, making a meaningful impact on recipients and the places they call home.”

While there is only one Museum Store Sunday every year, consumers are encouraged to shop at and support museum stores all year long. Approximately 91% of shoppers said they would return the following year to shop during Museum Store Sunday and 89% of shoppers said Museum Store Sunday encourages them to shop at museum stores throughout the year [Source: Museum Store Sunday 2023 Shoppers Survey].

Shoppers may find participating museum stores near them at http://www.museumstoresunday.org/find-a-store and those with online stores at http://www.museumstoresunday.org/find-an-online-store.

Participating Washington state museums include:

• The Whale Museum (Friday Harbor)

• Museum of Northwest Art (LaConner)

• Moses Lake Museum & Art Center

• Jefferson Art & History Museum (Port Townsend)

• Museum of Flight (Seattle)

• Seattle Art Museum

• The Northwest African American Museum (Seattle)

• Wing Luke Museum (Seattle)

• MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) Seattle

• National Nordic Museum (Seattle)

• Burke Museum of Natural History & Culture (Seattle)

• Unite Indians of All Tribes Foundation (Seattle)

• The Center for Wooden Boats (Seattle)

• WNDR Museum | Seattle

• Frye Art Museum Store (Seattle)

• Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (Spokane)

• Steilacoom Historical Museum

• Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum (The Dalles, Oregon)

• Tacoma Art Museum

• Job Carr Cabin Museum (Tacoma Olde Town Park)

• Fort Nisqually Living History Museum (Tacoma within Point Defiance Park)

• Albany’s Historic Whaling Station (Torndirrup, WA)

• Clark County Historical Museum (Vancouver, WA)

• Fort Walla Walla Museum (Walla Walla, WA)

For more information, visit http://www.museumstoresunday.org.