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Museum Receives $76,000 in Grants for
Visitor/Interpretive Center Programs/Exhibits
The museum has received two project grant awards that will augment exhibits and programs in its new visitor/interpretive center, which is scheduled for completion by the end of 2007. The Institute of Museums and Library Services (IMLS), a federal agency, will award $64,126 over the next three years from its Museums for America grants; and, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation will award $12,000 this year from its Legislative Initiative Program. The grants will be used to develop an interactive display of simple machines, a demonstration area, and educational programs and materials for youth, families, and adults to complement the center's new exhibit about the evolution of slate quarry and mill technology.
According to the IMLS award letter, the project was one of only 169 selected nationally from 543 applications to receive funding. "I knew the process was highly competitive, but I also knew we had a very compelling project and a strong organization," says museum director Mary Lou Willits. Museums for America provides more than $16 million in grants to support the role of museums in American society. "The grants build the capacity of museums to sustain our cultural heritage, support lifelong learning, and serve as centers of community engagement. The grants strengthen the ability of museums to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority
activities that advance the institution's mission and strategic goals," Willits
(Continued on page 2)
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New York State Council on the Arts
Increases Funding for Museum
The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) recently awarded the museum $12,500 a year for the next three years for general operating support. The Council's award for the previous three-year period had been $10,500 a year. "Given that NYSCA has received level funding from the state legislature for the past year, it is remarkable that our museum received a 20% increase in this particular multi-year award," says museum director Mary Lou Willits.
NYSCA's decision to award general operating support grants is based strictly on organizational merit. Grant requests go through a three-step review process that includes NYSCA museum staff, a panel of peer reviewers, and the Council itself. "It is not a matter of presenting a great project," says Willits. "This application process turns the organization inside-out, documenting changes and developments, programs and exhibits, facility and collection management, audience, membership, finances, community involvement, and organizational development. All of us--board members, staff, and volunteers--have worked very hard over the past three years, and I think that became apparent to the reviewers," she concludes.
The NYSCA museum staff informed Willits that the review panel agreed that the museum is a "terrific" organization with strong education programs and professional exhibits that are equally engaging for adults and children. They said the museum presented a good example of how a "single theme" museum can use many avenues to interpret content. The panel stated, "This is the type of museum where on really gets the sense of the heritage of the region, making one care about a topic that, on the surface, may not appeal to everyone." Further, the panel commended the museum for being a good partner and collaborator in its community.
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