Recipient: Saint Louis Art Museum
Location: St. Louis, MO
Grant: 2003 and 2002 Conservation Project Support Grants

The Challenge: Blessing Christ is one few examples of medieval Spanish sculpture represented in American museum collections. Having not been on view for over 30 years, its condition was extremely fragile, before an IMLS grant enabled the St. Louis Art Museum to stabilize the piece.
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This week I had the pleasure of participating in our second national videoconference for our Partnership for a Nation of Learners. Building on the success of the first event (November 30, 2005), which helped initiate, strengthen and renew relationships among local museums, libraries and public broadcasting television and radio stations, the second videoconference focused on real-life partnering tactics, such as developing appropriate roles for each partner and building a case for support. 45 public television stations across the country downlinked the PBS-fed videoconference in their studios. The videoconference was produced at WETA in Washington, DC and once again featured Ray Suarez, Senior Correspondent for The Newshour with Jim Lehrer, as the national host.

Partnerships among libraries, museums and public broadcasters have great potential to make a difference in our communities and reach people in all stages of their lives. Yet, partnership can be a bit daunting. Partnerships take focus, dedication and commitment, not to mention a lot of hard work. Challenges, barriers, conflicts - they're all given obstacles along the partnership road. But last November, close to 2,000 people gathered at public broadcasting stations across the country to participate in the first Community Collaboration Videoconference. This response was phenomenal. Your presence and participation confirmed that partnerships matter, and that partnerships work.

Following that event, we received hundreds of comments and suggestions about the videoconference and the Partnership for a Nation of Learners program. We know that each of you - whether you are coming from public broadcasting, libraries, museums, or community organizations - care deeply about your community. Your comments echoed that commitment with requests for more support and more opportunities to convene with others of like mind and mission. You see the power in partnerships, and know that together we can make a real difference.

Libraries, museums and public broadcasters share a common public service mission - and complementary assets. We are trusted sources of information and ideas. We connect to community, and bring in other valuable partners. To learn about creating partnerships in your community visit http://www.partnershipforlearners.org.

Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director, IMLS

Click Here to learn more about where IMLS staff members will be at the upcoming American Library Association Conference in New Orleans, LA (June 22-28).