45.302 MUSEUM ASSESSMENT PROGRAM |
(MAP) |
FEDERAL AGENCY |
OFFICE OF MUSEUM SERVICES, INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES, NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES |
AUTHORIZATION |
Museum and Library Services Act, codified at 20 U.S.C. Section 9101 et seq. |
OBJECTIVES |
To help museums assess their strengths and weaknesses, and to plan for the future. The Museum Assessment Program is supported through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Association of Museums. |
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE |
Direct Payments for Specified Use (Cooperative Agreements). |
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS |
The program provides technical assistance for four kinds of assessments: (1) collections management, (2) governance, (3) institutional, and (4) public dimension. Collections management assessment supports a review of collections use, planning, and policies and procedures in the context of overall museum operations. Governance assessment supports an examination of the roles, responsibilities, and performance of governing authorities and advisory boards. The assessment improves the ability of the museum's governing authority to fulfill its stewardship responsibilities and contribute to the success of the organization. Institutional assessment supports an overview of the management and operations of the entire museum and helps the museum set priorities, prepare for strategic planning, and operate more efficiently, thereby improving its services to the community and increasing its base of support. Public dimension assessment supports an evaluation of the way in which the museum serves its community and audiences through exhibits, programs, and other services, and communicates with its audience through public relations, planning, and evaluation. |
Applicant Eligibility |
A museum located in the 50 states of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands, Guam, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, The Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, or the District of Columbia may apply for a grant under this Act. A public or private nonprofit organization, such as a municipality, college, or university which is responsible for the operation of a museum, if necessary, may apply on behalf of the museum. A museum operated by a department or agency of the Federal government is not eligible to apply. Under the IMLS definition, a museum is a public or private nonprofit institution which is organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes and which, using a professional staff: (1) Owns or uses tangible objects, whether animate or inanimate; (2) cares for these objects; and (3) exhibits them to the general public on a regular basis. A museum must have at least one staff member, paid or unpaid, who devotes his or her time primarily to the acquisition, care or exhibition of objects. The definition makes clear that the term "museum" includes aquariums and zoological parks; botanical gardens and arboretums; nature centers; art, history, (including historic buildings and sites), natural history, children's, general and specialized museums, science and technology centers and planetariums. |
Beneficiary Eligibility |
Public and private nonprofit museums benefit. |
Credentials/Documentation |
Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments. OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions and other nonprofit organizations also applies. |
Preapplication Coordination |
The standard application forms as furnished by the American Association of Museums must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. |
Application Procedure |
To participate in the Museum Assessment Program, a museum must contact the American Association of Museums (AAM), 1575 Eye Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 289-9118. E-mail: map@aam-us.org. |
Award Procedure |
Proposals for participation are reviewed by the American Association of Museums. |
Deadlines |
February 15. |
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time |
Five months. |
Appeals |
Appeals may be made in writing to the director of the American Association of Museums. |
Renewals |
Not applicable. |
Formula and Matching Requirements |
MAP is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. MAP museums share a percentage of the cost of the assessment. |
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance |
Not applicable. |
Reports |
Participants submit a final report to the American Association of Museums. |
Audits |
Audits not required for application. |
Records |
Grant and contract recipients will be required to maintain standard financial statements. |
Account Identification |
59-0300-0-1-503. |
Obligations |
(Grants) FY 07 $442,000; FY 08 $434,278; FY 09 est $471,000. |
Range and Average of Financial Assistance |
In FY 07, 111 museums participated in MAP. Grants were awarded in the following areas: collections management (26), governance (11), public dimension (27), and institutional assessment (47). |
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS |
In FY 07, 111 museums participated in the program. |
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE |
See the IMLS Web site at www.imls.gov for the latest program data. |
Regional or Local Office |
None. |
Headquarters Office |
Institute of Museum and Library Services, 1800 M Street, N.W., Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20036-5802. Contact: Christopher J. Reich, Senior Program Officer; Telephone: (202) 653-4685; E-mail: creich@imls.gov. |
Web Site Address |
www.imls.gov; www.aam-us.org |
RELATED PROGRAMS |
45.301, Museums for America; 45.303, Conservation Project Support; 45.304, Conservation Assessment Program; 45.312, National Leadership Grants; 15.904, Historic Preservation Fund Grants-In-Aid; 15.914, National Register of Historic Places; 15.915, Technical Preservation Services. |
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS |
The Museum Assessment Program funds all types of museums, including historic house museums, science and technology centers, botanical gardens, and art museums. |
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS |
To participate in MAP, a museum must contact the American Association of Museums, 1575 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: (202) 289-9118. E-mail: map@aam-us.org. |
General Services Administration Office of Chief Acquisition Officer Regulatory and Federal Assistance Division (VIR) |