Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation
Since its creation by the U.S. Congress, the U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has provided financial support to more than 700 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries. This accomplishment represents a contribution of nearly $33 million towards the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. More importantly, it shows the depth of our nation’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries.
The Fund supports a wide range of projects to preserve cultural heritage, such as the restoration of historic buildings, assessment and conservation of museum collections, archaeological site preservation, documentation of vanishing traditional craft techniques, improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts, and documentation of indigenous languages.
In 2011, U.S. ambassadors in more than 80 countries around the globe applied to the Fund for support in meeting pressing cultural preservation needs. Among the projects supported in 2011 are the restoration of fire-damaged paintings in the collection of the National Modern Art Gallery of Mongolia, the preservation of an 11th-century stone bridge at Garni in Armenia, and the conservation of the ruins of the 9th‐century city of Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania.
In Jordan, the Fund awarded a grant for the conservation of the ruins of the 1st-century Temple of the Winged Lions, one of the most important structures at the World Heritage site of Petra. Prominently located on a slope overlooking the capital of the ancient Nabataean kingdom, and renowned for its large stone sphinxes which served as column capitals, the Temple of the Winged Lions is in a fragile state and poses serious danger to tourists. This project involves major stabilization, consolidation, and site conservation activities to protect the ancient remains and make the area safe and secure for visitors.
By supporting the preservation of these and other special sites, objects, and traditions, the Ambassadors Fund helps extend their value as vital, defining elements of communities and nations; and enable their continued use, enjoyment, and relevance both today and for generations to come.
Browse the full lists of AFCP awards:
- AFCP 2011 awards (PDF)
- AFCP 2010 awards (PDF)
Additional Information
November 23, 2010
(Media Note)
September 17, 2010
July 23, 2010 (Media Note)