> The following is a press release from the federal Institute of Museum and
> Library Services in Washington, DC
> Institute Press Contacts:  202/606-8339
> Eileen Maxwell - [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Mamie Bittner - [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
> Millions for America's Museums
> Washington, DC - Today the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the
> federal agency that assists the nation's museums and libraries, made
> $3,314,673 in grants to 284 museums across the country to help conserve
> their collections and improve their operations. Many of these awards
> require a 1:1 match which will result in an additional $3,407,680 for
> collections care.  For a list of grants made to museums in your state,
> including grant project descriptions, please see
> <http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/stategrants.htm>. For museums' contact names
> and telephone numbers, please call the Institute's press office noted
> above.
> Dr. Robert S. Martin, Director of the Institute noted that "This year the
> museum community celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Museum Services
> Act."  The legislation, enacted in 1976 by the U.S. Congress, created the
> premier program of federal support for America's museums. "The Act has
> enabled the Institute to provide these two vital museum services: to help
> museums conserve their collections and improve their operations."
> Today's grants are made through three popular grant programs at the
> Institute. The Conservation Project Support program, the Conservation
> Assessment Program, and the Museum Assessment Program.
> Conservation Project Support grants are available to museums of all
> disciplines, from art museums to zoos, to address critical conservation
> needs. The Institute also offers funding for educational programming to
> heighten public understanding of conservation issues. This year IMLS
> received 215 applications for these competitive grants and funded 66 with
> awards totaling $2,354,919.
> The Conservation Assessment Program is a public-private partnership funded
> by the Institute and administered by Heritage Preservation. The program
> provides museums the resources for a two-day visit by conservation
> professionals who assess the condition of the collections and recommends
> conservation priorities and long-range planning. The Institute is
> providing $793,954 to 141 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 one or more
> museum professionals who evaluate overall operations and make
> recommendations. Since 1981, MAP has provided nearly 5,000 successful
> assessments, leading to improved professional standards and practices
> within museums of all sizes. This year 77 museums will participate in the
> program.
> In addition to awarding grants today, Director Martin also announced the
> publication of Sustaining Our Heritage. "This is the story of the agency's
> longstanding commitment to the conservation of museum collections. With
> steady and unwavering support the Institute, in partnership with American
> museums, has profoundly improved conservation in America," Martin said.
> "These collections tell the epic story of our human experience. Future
> generations will use and learn from them for years to come. The book, free
> to the public, is available by contacting the Institute. A copy of
> Sustaining Our Heritage can be viewed in full-color at:
> <http://www.imls.gov/pubs/pdf/WholeBrochure.pdf>.
> The importance America places on the conservation of museum collections is
> also reflected in the President's FY 2003 budget request for the
> Institute. In it President Bush proposes a $500,000 increase for
> Conservation Project Support grants.
> Eileen Maxwell
> Public Affairs Specialist
> Institute of Museum and Library Services
> 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
> Suite 510
> Washington, DC  20506
> 202-606-8339
> 202-606-8591 (fax)
> [log in to unmask]
> Subscribe to Primary Source, the IMLS monthly e-mail newsletter, for
> important museum and library news
> http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscrbe.htm.
>
>

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