The following is a text-only press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). February 13, 2006 Eileen Maxwell, [log in to unmask] 202-653-4632 Mamie Bittner, [log in to unmask] IMLS Accepting Applications for Native American/Native Hawaiian Museum Services Grants New application deadline is April 1, 2006 Washington, D.C. - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting grant applications from Native American tribes, Alaska Native villages, regional and village corporations, and non-profit organizations that serve primarily Native Hawaiians, to support museum activities. These activities will enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build 21st-century skills, or encourage civic engagement. The application deadline this year is April 1, 2006. Downloadable guidelines and fill-in forms are available on the IMLS Web site at: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/grants/nativeServices.shtm. The range of grant funding has increased over last year to $5,000 - $50,000 and is available under the following three categories: * Programming - services and activities that support the educational mission of museums and museum-related organizations including exhibits, research and interpretation, and educational resources. * Professional Development - education or training that builds skills, knowledge, or other professional capacity for individuals who provide or manage museum services activities. Individuals can be paid or volunteer and involved with museum services either currently or in the future. * Enhancement of Museum Services - support for activities that enable and improve museum services including, but not limited to, technology, access, and strategic planning. In FY 2005 IMLS funded 45 grant projects. Examples of the projects funded include: $20,000 for the Barona Band of Mission Indians Cultural Center and Museum in Lakeside, California to select objects and photographs from its collection and conduct oral history interviews with tribal elders to create an exhibit commemorating the 75th anniversary of the reservation's founding. A traveling version of this exhibit will also be developed and installed at institutions throughout the San Diego area such as libraries, civic centers, and other museums. $19,748 to the Comanche Indian Tribe in Lawton, Oklahoma to host a series of training workshops promoting the development of Native American museum workers, primarily from the southwest Oklahoma region. Topics for sessions include museum management and operations, collections and archives development, museum education and interpretation, exhibition development, museum funding operations, and board development. $19,602 to the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Harbor Springs, Michigan, to implement Past Perfect, a collections management software program that will increase the efficiency of artifact accessioning and tracking. The grant will help create and maintain a virtual museum using digital images of objects from the department. This virtual museum, available on the tribe's Web site, will make the collections more accessible to community members as well as the public. For descriptions of all grants projects funded last year, please access: http://www.imls.gov/results.asp?keyword=&inst=&city=&state=&year=10&prog ram=1065&description=on&sort=year About the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent federal agency, grows and sustains a "Nation of Learners" because life-long learning is critical to both societal and individual success. Through its grant making, convening, research and publications, the Institute empowers museums and libraries nationwide to provide leadership and services to enhance learning in families and communities, sustain cultural heritage, build 21st century skills, and provide opportunities for civic participation. To learn more about the Institute, please visit: http://www.imls.gov. Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Officer Institute of Museum and Library Services 1800 M Street, NW 9th Floor Washington, DC 20036-5802 202-653-4632 202-653-4600(fax) [log in to unmask] Visit the Institute of Museum and Library Services virtual press room for the agency's latest news releases, publications, logos, and Primary Source our monthly e-newsletter at: http://www.imls.gov/pressroom.shtm. ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).