IMLS "Museums for America"

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Washington, D.C., announced today 160 awards totaling $18, 777, 552 matched with $32, 007, 711 of non-federal funds for Museums for America Program Grants. IMLS received 481 applications requesting $53, 655, 280 in funds.

"Congratulations to the Museums for America grantees. We are pleased to support museums through investments in high-priority, high value activities that benefit communities throughout the U.S., " said Susan Hildreth, IMLS director. "These museums, small and large, will help to educate and inspire the public for years to come."

The Michigan State University Museum was one of five Michigan institutions to receive this cycle of IMLS collections stewardship grants.
[Award Amount: $149, 639 / Matching Amount: $150, 874]

The Michigan State University Museum grant addresses collections-related work across a number of areas, from safe handling of specimens to data capture and database enhancements - all projects that are designed to increase access to collections for research and exhibitions. The grant also helps enable placement of MSU students to assist in these projects and undergo training in museum collections-management and health and safety procedures.

More specifically, the MSU Museum will use its grant to complete critical chemical testing for natural science specimens. In addition, the museum will make database and technological enhancements for its natural science and cultural collections. Project activities will include completing final data capture and database enhancements for 8, 290 vertebrate specimens and records; completing arsenic detection tests for 730 of the large taxidermy-mounted specimens; geo-referencing localities for all nonfossil project specimens; migrating cultural history collections data to the new database system; and creating 20, 000 digital images of historical objects. All of these records will be published on the Web.