Cool Joe Makes His Mark Again

A program is now fully underway to put the beloved beagle Snoopy 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, features a reproduction of an original drawing of Snoopy by Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz. In only two months, over 3,500 Californians have pre-ordered their plates.

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.

The Snoopy plate is also an opportunity to commemorate Santa Rosa cartoonist and cultural icon Charles Schulz. Jean Schulz, the widow of Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz, the Schulz family, and Peanuts Worldwide are generously allowing access to the original drawing for this special plate.

In 2013, Assemblymember Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) 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.

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