FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
March 23, 2006
Press Contact
202-653-4632
Eileen Maxwell, emaxwell@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov
Institute
of Museum and Library Services Announces $671,922 in
Grants to Museums in Gulf Coast Region
Recipients
will match grants with an additional $1,496,136
Washington, DC—Anne-Imelda
M. Radice, Ph.D, Director of the Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS) provided details today of financial
assistance to museums in the region affected by Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita and Wilma. Seven museums in Florida, Louisiana,
and Mississippi will receive funds for assessing and conserving
collections and historic sites, for improving emergency
preparedness and response, and providing educational programs.
“Gulf Coast museums and historical
sites play a pivotal role in preserving the cultural heritage
of the region,” said Dr. Radice. “It is essential
that we help these institutions recover from the devastation
wrought by the hurricanes and subsequent flooding.”
Below are a few examples of projects IMLS grants will
support. Click
here for a list and descriptions of the awarded projects.
The 2006 hurricane season wreaked havoc
on the Gifford Arboretum in Coral Gables, Florida—40%
of the arboretum’s specimens were destroyed. The
arboretum will use IMLS grants to help redesign and reestablish
beds, walkways, and exhibits in consultation with University
of Florida faculty, students, staff, volunteers and representatives
of neighboring gardens. In addition, the arboretum will
conduct a training workshop to improve hurricane preparedness
and response.
With IMLS support, the Contemporary Arts
Center (CAC) in New Orleans CAC will launch the New Orleans
Center for Art and Technology (NOCAT). NOCAT will train
underemployed adults in skills that will help them contribute
to the economic redevelopment of the city. NOCAT will
also provide high-risk secondary students with arts training
that will motivate them to finish high school and go on
to college. In addition, CAC will welcome displaced arts
organizations into its space and help the community rebound
by hosting events and serving on advisory boards that
formulate policies on the future of the arts and culture
in New Orleans.
Beauvoir (the Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential
Library) in Biloxi, Mississippi suffered heavy damage
from Hurricane Katrina. The former Confederate Veterans
Hospital which housed the Soldiers Museum on Beauvoir’s
grounds was completely destroyed. Beauvoir will use IMLS
funds to retain curators to continue salvaging and identifying
artifacts. As part of their rebuilding effort, Beauvoir
will plan and develop schematics for a new museum and
library to house all salvaged artifacts, archives and
research history.
Awards are announced under the Institute’s
Conservation Project Support and Museums for America grant
programs. Conservation Project Support grants help museums
preserve the collections and historical sites that constitute
the nation’s artistic, cultural, and historical
heritage. Museums for America grants help these institutions
serve as centers of community engagement, support lifelong
learning and sustain the world’s cultural heritage.
The Institute extended application deadlines for these
grant competitions and expedited the review process to
provide funds earlier to museums whose proposals addressed
needs caused by the hurricanes.
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