$2.2 Million in Museum Grants to Strengthen African American History and Culture
Federal Investments Generate $2.5 Million in Matching Funds
Washington, DC—The Institute of Museum and Library Services today announced awards totaling $2,231,000 in Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC). The 14 grantees will match these awards with an additional $2,513,461 in non-federal funds. A total of 37 organizations requested grants totaling $4,841,383.
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture support activities that build the capacity of African American museums and support the growth and development of museum professionals at African American museums.
“The 2019 African American History and Culture grants program continues significant levels of federal investment to communities throughout the country,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. "This year's awards will further the important work that museums undertake to preserve, share, and interpret the rich tapestry of African American history, heritage, and cultural narratives.”
Examples of AAHC funded grants include:
- The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in Washington, DC, will continue to digitize its collections to support research, access, and preservation. The centerpiece of the project will be the creation of the Archives of African American Architects Digital Collection, drawings and blueprints created by three African American architects.
- The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York, will expand its Leadership Ladders program. This three-year professional development initiative will train current and future staff leaders and members across the whole organization to prepare for the museum’s re-opening in a new facility in 2022.
- The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, will produce an exhibit to encourage children, parents, and caregivers to have conversations about diversity and foster dialogue about the people in their community. The goal of the space is to provide families of all races with a place to come together, play, and have meaningful conversations.
“This year, we increased the cap on AAHC grant requests from $150,000 to $250,000, which allowed us to invest record-setting amounts to African American history and culture institutions since the program was founded in 2003,” said Paula Gangopadhyay, Deputy Director of Museum Services. “These awards will fund projects across the country that make a difference for communities.”
More information about museum grant opportunities can be found on the IMLS website.
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.