FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Giuliana Bullard, 202-653-4799
gbullard@imls.gov
New Professional Development Grants Will Empower Museums to Better Serve Communities
Deadline for applications is May 1
Washington, DC – The Institute of Museum and Library Services has announced the availability of new grants for professional development and capacity building opportunities for museums. The program is a special initiative of the Museums for America (MFA) grant program, which supports projects developed by individual museums to enable them to better serve their communities.
Eligible entities for Museums Empowered: Professional Development and Capacity Building Opportunities for Museums are U.S. museums of all sizes and disciplines. Award amounts will either be $5,000-$25,000 with no cost share permitted or $25,001–$250,000 with at least 1:1 cost share. The application deadline is May 1, 2017. See the application guidelines on the IMLS website for details.
This special initiative will support and empower museums in responding to the evolving needs of the museum profession and changes in their communities. It provides support for professional development and capacity building in four focus areas.
- Digital Technology: for museum staff to fully explore, understand, and optimize the use of digital technology in museums.
- Diversity and Inclusion: for museum staff to explore proactive and inclusive ways to invite, engage and strengthen ties with diverse communities.
- Evaluation: to expand museum staff’s evaluation capacity in audience research and program evaluation.
- Organizational Management: for museum staff to learn best practices in organizational management, strategic thinking, innovation and managing change.
“As centers of innovation and discovery, as well as catalysts of community revitalization, museums are at the forefront of change in our communities,” said IMLS Deputy Director of Museum Services, Paula Gangopadhyay. “This special funding opportunity was designed to build professional capacity of museum staff, so that they are able to keep pace with technological advances, learn how to leverage the power of data and create an innovative and sustainable organizational culture. Funded projects will help bring about transformative and systemic change in the recipient institutions and also impact the communities they serve.”
To Learn More
Potential applicants can also reach out to the IMLS staff member listed on the grant program page to discuss general issues relating to this special initiative.
An informational webinar on this funding opportunity will be held Thursday, March 16, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. EST.
For more information about how to participate in the webinar or to access a recording of the webinar, please visit the IMLS Events and Webinars page.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and approximately 35,000 museums. Our mission has been to inspire libraries and museums to advance innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. For the past 20 years, our grant making, policy development, and research has helped libraries and museums deliver valuable services that make it possible for communities and individuals to thrive. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.