FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated November 9, 2005

Press Contacts
202-653-4632
Eileen Maxwell, emaxwell@imls.gov
Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov

IMLS to Expedite Museums for America Grant Review Process and Release Awards Early to Museums for Projects that Meet Needs Caused by Hurricane Wilma

Agency also extends the grant application deadline for museums in declared disaster areas

WASHINGTON, DC - In September, Mary Chute, Acting Director of the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced that the agency would expedite the grant review process and release awards early to successful museum applicants throughout the country whose project proposals meet the needs caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The agency also extended grant application deadlines for museums in declared disaster areas. Today Acting Director Chute offered the same opportunities for museums affected by Wilma.

Museums for America grants, the nation’s largest federal grant program for museums, help these institutions serve as centers of community engagement, support lifelong learning, and sustain the world’s cultural heritage. Funds from this $16 million dollar plus grant program will be released four months in advance (mid-March) to museums across America with winning grant proposals that meet the needs caused by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. Other awards will be announced in mid-July. In addition, the application deadline for museums in declared disaster areas has been extended for one month, to December 15. For all other applicants, the grant deadline remains November 15. For more information contact Program Officer Christine Henry, chenry@imls.gov.