Snoopy License Plates Now Available To The Public

Proceeds to benefit California museums

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A program is now fully underway to put the beloved beagle on California license plates, and help fund the state's museums at the same time. The special license plate, available for pre-order now at www.snoopyplate.com, will feature a reproduction of an original drawing of Snoopy by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140206/DC59792)

"Buying a Snoopy license plate is a great way to support California's cultural heritage," said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. "I applaud the leadership of Assemblymember Atkins as the author of the bill that will create much-needed funding sources for museums statewide."

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 (DMV) will begin issuing the Snoopy license plates upon receipt of 7,500 paid applications. Sequential plates are $50, personalized plates are $98.

"California is home to a great variety of museums – from world-renowned destinations to small museums that preserve the unique histories and culture of our state," said Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego). "This new grant program will support these museums up and down the state – from art and history to zoos and aquariums."

The Snoopy plate is also an opportunity to commemorate Santa Rosa's own Charles M. Schulz, a very special California artist.

"A special note of gratitude goes to Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz, the Schulz family, and Peanuts Worldwide for generously allowing access to the original drawing for this special plate," said Celeste DeWald, executive director of the California Association of Museums. "The proceeds will create a legacy for California's many fantastic museums and allow them to thrive long into the future."

In 2013, Atkins authored and Governor Brown signed legislation that created the grant program that will be funded by the Snoopy license plates. The plates will raise money for a competitive grant program to make funding available to the state's 1,400 museums and science centers. CCHE, a state entity recently reorganized into the California Natural Resources Agency, will administer the California Museum Grant Program with funds raised from the license plates. A smaller portion of the revenues will support professional development programs and services provided to the museum community by the California Association of Museums.

"CCHE has a 10-year history of preserving California's cultural heritage through grants to over 150 projects throughout California," said Mimi Morris, CCHE's Executive Officer. "We are so pleased to establish a program specifically for museums, which offer important contributions to our cultural identity, help educate our citizens, and provide an economic boost for our communities."

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 at the California State Library in 2003. AB 482 (Atkins) transferred the CCHE to the California Natural Resources Agency in 2014. 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 1,400 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.

SOURCE California Association of Museums