In these challenging economic times, it is no surprise that museums are among those cultural institutions feeling the pinch. Folks of all incomes just don’t have the spare cash to donate to their favorite right now. So why not try something different? Something that has a universal appeal that has a wide benefit?

Hence, the Snoopy license plate here in California.

From a press release on May 3rd, 2010:

“...the California Associations of Museums announced today that an ambitious effort is underway across the state to establish a California special license plate featuring Snoopy. The Snoopy special license plate will be an entrepreneurial and sustainable source of funding for museums without establishing a new tax or fee or drawing from the state’s general fund.

Each plate will feature a reproduction of an original Snoopy drawing by Charles Schulz, doing a happy dance, probably in anticipation of suppertime.  The proceeds from sales of the Snoopy license plates will establish a competitive and sustainable grant program to support California museums, from art and history museums to zoos, aquariums, science centers, and natural history museums. California State Parks (CSP) will serve as the official sponsor of the Snoopy license plate and will administer the grant program.  Current license plate programs are generating millions of dollars annually for the arts, the environment, and children’s programs.”

Now this is not the first time that California has offered a special license plate program. There have been some great ones over the years beginning with the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games plates as well as special plates for both Lake Tahoe and Yosemite. All of these collected revenue to support a particular project. People wanting these plates pay an additional fee for the privilege. Here is a list of those special interest plates being offered by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

So... where do you go from here? Well, if a Snoopy plate seems the thing for you, and your are a California resident, visit www.snoopyplate.com and express your interest. Once 7,500 people have done so, as well as pay the fees associated with the program, the State will begin producing them.

Cue the happy Snoopy dance and the Vince Guaraldi music...