2008 Museum Grants for African American History and Culture Announcement

Florida  |  Georgia  |  Louisiana  |  New York  |  Virginia

Florida

Spady Cultural Heritage Museum - Delray Beach, FL
Award Amount: $19,900; Matching Amount: $51,446

Contact: Ms. Brandy Brownlee
Museum Educator
(561)279-8883; bbrownlee@spadymuseum.org

Project Title: "Registrar and Manager of Collections Development"
The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum will develop the knowledge and skills of a current staff member in the areas of collections management and exhibits methodology. Primary training will be provided through mentoring by museum professionals from nearby museums who will combine theoretical background with practical on-the-job applications. The training activities will focus on the implementation of best practices in collections registration, curatorial practices, small exhibit development and installation, and the management of loaned exhibitions. The investment in staff training will significantly enhance the museum’s professional capacity and its ability to access and care for its collections, accept new contributions, and improve interpretive services for its visitors.

John Gilmore Riley Center and Museum for African American History - Tallahassee, FL
Award Amount: $150,000; Matching Amount: $150,000

Contact: Ms. Althemese Barnes
Executive Director
(850)681-7881; abarnes37@comcast.net

Project Title: "Florida African American Museum Exchange Phase II (FAAME)"
The John Gilmore Riley Center will coordinate Phase II of the “Florida African American Museums Exchange Project (FAME),” designed to build the institutional capacity and sustainability of African American museums throughout the state. Seven museum directors will receive intensive training in effective management and preservation of historical collections. An “each one-teach one” component will require each of the participating directors to identify and mentor directors of other African American museums in their regions of the state, sharing new skills and knowledge. Student interns will be matched with experienced field practitioners to provide them with advanced professional development training and encourage careers in historic preservation. The entire project will support a statewide effort to create a central database of collection holdings that will eventually result in the creation of a virtual museum.

Florida A&M University - Tallahassee, FL
Award Amount: $133,820; Matching Amount: $168,142

Contact: Dr. Chanta Haywood
Dean, School of Graduate Studies & Research
(850)599-3505; chanta.haywood@famu.edu

Project Title: "FAMU Black Archives I AMM Program (Inspiring Authorities in Museum Management)"
Florida A&M University will identify and train six graduate students for careers in museum practice through the joint efforts of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum and the School of Graduate Studies & Research. The project recognizes the national shortage of African Americans with advanced training in museum practice and will recruit students from disciplines that provide knowledge and skills that are easily transferable to museum work. The program will focus on museum and archival services, information technology services, and marketing and development. Participating students will engage in a rigorous series of structured activities including mentoring, seminars, working assistantships, travel, and research opportunities.

Georgia

Savannah State University - Savannah, GA
Award Amount: $149,700; Matching Amount: $150,563

Contact: Dr. Ronald Bailey
Visiting Distinguished Professor
(912)353-4942; baileyr@savstate.edu

Project Title: "Building African-American Museum Capacity in Savannah and Southeast Georgia"
Savannah State University will engage an interdisciplinary group of scholars in a collaboration involving seven African American museums. The project is designed to strengthen the knowledge and skills of current staff as part of a long term effort to add to the capacity of these museums and increase their programmatic impact on targeted audiences. Project goals include the enhancement of interpretive skills through the preparation and presentation of two exhibits; the development of a sustainable regional network to institutionalize collaboration; and increased access to a variety of professional development opportunities. Funding will also support the creation of curriculum modules that utilize the resources of African American museums in local schools and college courses, and the implementation of a pilot internship program for area colleges and high schools to encourage a new generation of museum and preservation professionals.

Louisiana

River Road African American Museum - Donaldsonville, LA
Award Amount: $114,920; Matching Amount: $117,770

Contact: Ms. Kathe Hambrick
Executive Director
(225)474-5553; kathe@africanamericanmuseum.org

Project Title: "Staff Development/Collections and Program Development"
The River Road African American Museum will support priorities in its strategic plan by hiring two experienced staff members with the skills needed to advance the institution’s goals and objectives. A curator will create collections policies and procedures; recruit, train and supervise work study students, graduate interns, and volunteers to research and catalog the collections; and develop an intellectual agenda and an interpretive plan for the museum campus. A museum educator will maintain and expand the educational programming; strengthen existing partnerships and develop new ones; and work with the director and curator to plan the long-term educational program for the institution. Project funding will support the activities of an expert advisory group to guide the process.

New York

Museum of Contemporary African Diasporian Arts - Brooklyn, NY
Award Amount: $52,200; Matching Amount: $68,454

Contact: Ms. Kimberli Gant
Director of Education
(718)230-0492; kg@mocada.org

Project Title: "Education Assistant"
The Museum of Contemporary Diasporian African Arts (MoCADA) will hire a permanent full-time education assistant to increase the visibility and use of its resources within the New York City Department of Education, as well as other local public and private schools. The new position will solidify and strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones to more strongly connect this emerging museum with its highly diversified community. The education assistant will coordinate and promote guided tours, assembly programs, teaching artist activities, and summer camps. The project is a direct response to requests received by schools to provide programming for their students that relate to MoCADA’s mission to create a greater awareness of, and appreciation for, the relevance of the African Diaspora as it relates to contemporary urban issues.

Studio Museum in Harlem - New York, NY
Award Amount: $145,700; Matching Amount: $154,300

Contact: Mrs. Jane Penn
Associate Director of Development
(212)864-4500; jpenn@studiomuseum.org

Project Title: "Stepping Stones"
The Studio Museum in Harlem will expand its model internship program through the “Stepping Stones” initiative. The project will enable the museum to increase its recruitment of qualified staff and interns; increase staff retention; and locate managers and supervisors from within its ranks. The museum will expand the scope of its intern program experience by engaging students in work with collections, education, public relations, and development staff. “Stepping Stones” will also provide training opportunities for entry, mid-level and senior level staff members. The initiative will identify leaders within the organization, providing them with skills needed to advance within the museum or to further their career development in the broader museum community. An “In-Reach” coordinator will be hired to administer the project and to coordinate the evaluation of desired outcomes.

Virginia

Harrison Museum of African American Culture - Roanoke, VA
Award Amount: $61,050; Matching Amount: $72,896

Contact: Ms. Melody Stovall
Treasurer
(540)983-7188; mstovall@iamrrha.org

Project Title: "Curatorial Development at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture"
The Harrison Museum of African American Culture will prepare for its move to new and expanded facilities by restructuring its current staff and providing opportunities for professional development. A full-time position of curator will be established to build professional capacity to care for collections and ensure the continuity of successful educational programming and exhibits. An investment in a structured professional development program will result in more effective and efficient museum operations, improved collections management, and enhanced programming for the community. The project will also support a consultation and mentoring relationship with seasoned curators from a nearby accredited museum.