American Museums Get $39 Million In Grants
Grants to 351 museums of over $39 million have been released by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Recipients ranging from art galleries to zoos will use the funds to help conserve collections and improve operations.
The awards were delivered throughgrant programs at the Institute–the Conservation Project Support Program, the Conservation Assessment Program, and the Museum Assessment Program.
Conservation Project Support grants address critical conservation needs. This year IMLS received 234 applications for the competitive grants and funded 86 with awards totaling $2,750,157. Many of the awards require, at least, a 1:1 match which will result in an additional $4,354,266 in support for collections care. A diversity of projects, from the conservation of paintings by American Artists Benjamin West and N.C. Wyeth to the development of satellite telemetry to track rehabilitated marine life, will be funded.
The Conservation Assessment Program is a public-private partnership funded by the Institute and administered by Heritage Preservation, Inc. Federal funds support a two day on-site visit by conservation professionals who assess the condition of the collections and make recommendations about conservation priorities and long-range planning. The Institute is providing $813,920 to 110 museums for this critical conservation expertise.
The Museum Assessment Program, funded by the Institute and administered by the American Association of Museums, improves professional practices within museums. The program provides an on-site visit by museum professionals who evaluate overall operations and make recommendations. Since 1981, MAP has provided nearly 5,000 assessments leading to improved professional standards and practices. This year 170 museums will participate in the program. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an independent Federal agency that fosters leadership, innovation, and a lifetime of learning by supporting the nation’s 15,000 museums and 122,000 libraries. The Institute encourages partnerships to expand the educational benefit of libraries and museums.
