I promised the list the results of my inquiry on funding available for
museum archives.  Here is what I've found:
 
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Offers funds to establish museum archives but highly competitive.
Funds the salary of a trained archivist (for up to two years) to develop an
archives program if the museum is willing to commit to funding the position
after the grant period is over.
Recommends that museum hire a consultant to make recommendations for
program development (strengthens proposal).
Application deadline October 1, 1995 with project starting date April 1, 1996.
Laurie Baty, Program Officer (202) 501-5610
 
NEH Division of Preservation and Access
Funds projects to organize and survey archival collections and conserve them.
Does not fund museum archives development.
Will only fund projects for museum archives if a museum archives already
exists, with an archivist on staff.
Application deadline July 1, 1995 with project starting date May 1, 1996.
(202) 606-8570
 
NEH Division of Public Programs
Does not fund museum archives development.
Funds projects involving planning or implementation of exhibits or programs
involving archival materials (manuscript, photographic, etc.)
(202) 606-8271
 
NEH Division of Research Programs
Does not fund museum archives development.
Funds projects to conduct research using archival material.
(202)  606-8207
 
NEA
Funds art-related projects which make use of archival material
(manuscripts, photographic, recordings, etc.)
(202) 682-5400
 
NSF
Has no money for archival projects at this time and future funding unlikely.
(703) 306-1234
 
IMS
Funds archival projects involving preservation of archival materials.
Archives preservation grants part of Conservation Project Support.
(202) 606-8539
 
U.S. Department of Education
No longer offers grants for achival projects.
(202) 219-1315
 
Society of American Archivists
Does not offer funding.
Do offer assistance locating archivists for consulting.
(312) 922-0140
 
Getty Grant Program
Offers funds for projects which make use of archival material (exhibitions,
research, publications, etc.)
Deborah Marrow, Director (310) 458-9811, ext. 1074
 
Many of the people I spoke with were very discouraged about the current
situation and couldn't promise anything at this point in time.
I hope the list is helpful.
 
******************************************************************************
Kate Desulis                         (312) 322-0821 phone
The Adler Planetarium                (312) 322-2257 fax
1300 S. Lake Shore Drive             [log in to unmask]
Chicago, Illinois 60605