Snoopy License Plate Campaign Is 2/3 To Goal

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A statewide effort to put the beloved beagle on California license plates, and help fund the state's museums at the same time, is now two-thirds the way to reaching its goal. The special license plate, available for pre-order now at www.snoopyplate.com, features a reproduction of an original drawing of Snoopy by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz and the phrase "museums are for everyone". Organizers are making a major push for orders now to reach the goal this winter.

Proceeds from sales will establish a competitive grant program administered by the California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) to support California's museums. The Department of Motor Vehicles will begin issuing the Snoopy license plates upon receipt of 7,500 paid applications. Sequential plates are $50, while personalized plates are $98.

"Once the plates are in production and people begin to see them on the roadways, we expect orders to increase exponentially," said Assembly Speaker Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego). "With next year marking the 65th anniversary of Peanuts, the 50^th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas, and the release of the new Peanuts movie, we're making a major push for orders now." Assembly Speaker Atkins authored and Governor Brown signed legislation last year that created the grant program to be funded by the Snoopy license plate. She represents the Assembly on the CCHE Board, in addition to Assemblymember Ian Calderon (D-Whittier).

The Snoopy plate is also an opportunity to commemorate Charles M. Schulz, a renowned California artist. "My husband, Charles Schulz, frequently visited museums and got ideas and inspiration ‎for his life and work as the creator of the Peanuts comic strip," wrote Jean Schulz, the widow of Charles Schulz and President of the Charles M. Schulz Museum, in a recent opinion piece. "He was an example of the millions of Californians who learn about the past, the natural world, and creativity though unique museum experiences." Jean Schulz, the Schulz family, and Peanuts Worldwide are generously giving royalty-free rights for the use of the drawing for this license plate.

A press event with Speaker Atkins, Assemblymember Calderon, and other guests – including Snoopy – was held at The Crocker Art Museum, the first art museum in the Western U.S., on December 2^nd. The plates will fund a competitive grant program to benefit the state's museums, including art and history museums, zoos, aquariums, children's museums, and science centers. CCHE, a state entity, will administer the California Museum Grant Program. The California Association of Museums estimates that there are 1,400 museums across the state, located in every county and in both rural and urban areas.

"The Snoopy license plate makes a great gift for the holidays that 'gives back' in multiple ways," said Celeste DeWald, Executive Director of the California Association of Museums. "The proceeds will create a legacy for California's many great museums and a portion of the fee can be tax deductible."

"Buying a Snoopy license plate is a great way to support California's cultural heritage," said Bryan Cash, Assistant Deputy Secretary for Bonds & Grants at the California Natural Resources Agency. "The California Cultural and Historical Endowment has a 10-year history of preserving California's cultural heritage through grants to over 150 projects throughout California." Cash is Secretary John Laird's representative as Chair of the CCHE Board.

Visit www.snoopyplate.com to pre-order your Snoopy license plates and support California's museums.

The California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) was established in 2003. CCHE grants have helped to preserve the many historic treasures that are California's cultural legacy. Current funding for CCHE projects is from voter-approved Proposition 40 bonds from the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002. Approximately $122 million was appropriated to CCHE to distribute competitively for the acquisition, restoration, preservation and interpretation of historical and cultural resources. http://resources.ca.gov/cche/

The California Association of Museums (CAM) is a non-profit service organization representing the interests of California's museums, including art and history museums, aquariums, natural history museums, science centers, children's museums, zoos, cultural centers, and botanical gardens. CAM assists California museums in fulfilling their missions as educational and research institutions that interpret and preserve art and cultural and scientific collections for public benefit. www.calmuseums.org

The PEANUTS™ characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family. Iconix Brand Group, Inc. owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands. The company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising, and public relations departments Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.

©Peanuts Worldwide LLC 

Photos and high resolution images available at
http://www.calmuseums.org/snoopypress

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141201/161608

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SOURCE California Association of Museums

Related Links

http://www.calmuseums.org