The following categories of support were developed based
in part on issues identified in a needs assessment survey of the Commonwealth's
museum community. Each category is broadly defined and includes examples of the
kind of projects that might be considered. The examples are not a complete list
of eligible projects for consideration.
(1)
Institutional
development. Grant assistance is available to improve the management
and administration of the museum as a nonprofit institution including its long
term financial and administrative viability. Examples of projects to be
considered include:
(i) Management development
and long range planning.
(ii)
Development of earned income potential through sales facilities, publications
and other programs.
(iii) Analysis
of staffing patterns and personnel policies.
(iv) Fund-raising plans.
(v) Followup on the American Association of
Museums' Museum Assessment Program (MAP) or recommendations of an American
Association of Museums' accreditation review.
(vi) Staff training programs.
(vii) Facilities use plans and energy
audits.
(viii) Plans for
handicapped accessibility.
(2)
Collections management.
Grant assistance is available to care for the needs of the museum's collections
including registration, cataloging, research needs and conservation. Examples
of projects to be considered include:
(i)
Development of cataloging systems.
(ii) Cataloging and related collection
research.
(iii) Analysis of climate
control, security and storage problems.
(iv) Conservation treatment of specific
objects.
(v) Historic structures
reports.
(vi) Archaeological site
surveys (not excavation) and cataloging of archaeological
collections.
(vii) Programs that
would promote collection sharing among institutions.
(viii) Followup on the American Association
of Museums' Museum Assessment Program II (MAP II).
(3)
Educational and interpretive
programs. Grant assistance is available to provide better
interpretation to the general public and special audiences through exhibits,
seminars, demonstrations and other programs. Examples of projects to be
considered include:
(i) Design, preparation
and installation of exhibits, including related public programs.
(ii) Development of and support of curriculum
projects.
(iii) Furnishing plans,
interpretive plans and landscaping plans.
(iv) Living history programs and craft
demonstrations.
(v) Staff and
volunteer training.
(vi)
Interpretive seminars, lectures and workshops.
(vii) Research directed toward educational
and interpretive programs.
(viii)
Pamphlets and printed material to support specific public programs or exhibits,
or both, for which funds are being requested.
(ix) Outreach programs to schools and
community organizations.
(x)
Exhibit sharing and traveling exhibits.
(4)
Marketing and promotion.
Grant assistance is available to develop higher levels of visitation and
improve an institution's visibility in the community and across the State.
Examples of projects to be considered include:
(i) Media relations.
(ii) Membership and corporate
development.
(iii) Visitor
surveys.
(iv) Preparation of
brochures and other visitors aids.
(v) Marketing plans.
(vi) Production of marketing tools such as
videotapes and audiovisual programs.
