FY 2009 Deadline:

January 15, 2009
(Deadline extended to January 29, 2009 for any institution within an area that has received either a “Major Disaster Declaration” or an “Emergency Declaration” by FEMA within 12 months prior to the grant deadline. For applicants to Museum Grants for African American History and Culture, this would mean that the museum must be in an area that received the “Major Disaster Declaration” or the “Emergency Declaration” after January 15, 2008.)

Grant Amount:

$5,000-$150,000

Grant Period:

Up to two years

Program Contact:

Christopher J. Reich, Senior Program Officer
Phone: 202/653-4685
E-mail: creich@imls.gov

Twinet G. Kimbrough, Program Specialist
Phone: 202/653-4703
E-mail: tkimbrough@imls.gov

Technical Assistance Audio Conference Calls
To assist grant applicants with putting together their applications, IMLS will be offering technical assistance audio conference calls at the following dates and times. You will need the following information to participate in the call:

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Conference ID#: 72452625; Dial-in#: 1-800-603-9527

Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Conference ID#: 72454167; Dial-in#: 1-800-603-9527

Program Overview
Museum Grants for African American History and Culture are intended to enhance institutional capacity and sustainability through professional training, technical assistance, internships, outside expertise, and other tools. Successful proposals will focus on one or more of the following three goals: 1) developing or strengthening knowledge, skills, and other expertise of current staff at African American museums; 2) attracting and retaining professionals with the skills needed to strengthen African American museums; and 3) attracting new staff to African American museum practice and providing the expertise needed to sustain them in the museum field.

Eligibility:

Eligible applicants include museums whose primary purpose is African American life, art, history, and/or culture, encompassing the period of slavery; the era of reconstruction; the Harlem Renaissance; the civil rights movement; and other periods of the African Diaspora. Public or private nonprofit organizations whose primary purpose is to support museums identified above may also apply. Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) are also eligible. Please see Program Guidelines for specific eligibility criteria.