The Ukrainian Museum awarded prestigious grant (11/14/04)

The Ukrainian Museum awarded prestigious grant

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - The Ukrainian Museum in New York City received a 2004 Museums for America grant in the amount of $91,360 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Over 800 museums and libraries submitted applications to this federal granting agency asking for support for various projects. The museum was one of 190 applicants whose request was favorably reviewed.

The museum's grant-winning project, is within the parameters of the IMLS grant program category Supporting Lifelong Learning. The project has two objectives: to develop comprehensive programming aimed at strengthening and expanding the educational infrastructure of the institution, and building public access in the museum's new facility. Marketing the program, as well as the new museum building are two major components within the objective. The museum will target larger audiences with programming appropriate to each in categories such as the general public, young professionals, young audiences, families and school groups.

"On behalf of The Ukrainian Museum, I would like to express my gratitude to IMLS for this grant," said Director Maria Shust. "It comes at a most appropriate time, when our institution is about to relocate to its new, modern, spacious building and is ready to undertake the task of implementing an expanded and enriched agenda." She went on to say that creating a structure of educational programs that will serve as a pilot design and provide guidelines for future program planning is an integral part of the expansion objective. Ms. Shust explained that the grant the museum received is specifically geared toward the development of educational programs that will accompany the second in a series of inaugural exhibitions, a folk art exhibit titled "The Tree, Sun and Goddess."

"We have chosen this exhibition for the pilot educational project, because it lends itself particularly well for creating programs that target various groups, especially families - the core group for audience development," said the director. She concluded that it is anticipated that this important project will have long-range benefits both for the museum and the community, which it serves.

The awarded project will be started in the new museum building in 2005. The three-story modern facility on East Sixth Street in New York City has been built with the generous funding of the Ukrainian American community, nationwide.

As IMLS' largest grant program, Museums for America provides more than $16 million in grants to support the role of museums in American society. This grant program strengthens the ability of museums to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institutions' missions and strategic goals.

"With their rich collections, museums enable visitors to physically connect with history, science and the creative process," said Dr. Robert S. Martin, IMLS director. "The Museums for America grants will help museums advance their role as trusted resources that serve communities by creating and sustaining a nation of learners."

The purpose of The Ukrainian Museum is to collect, preserve and display objects of artistic or historic merit relating to Ukrainian life and culture. Within the scope of its bilingual agenda, the museum offers exhibitions, illustrated catalogues, educational programs and hands-on folk crafts courses and workshops for adults, youth and children.

The museum was founded in 1976 and is run as an independent institution, governed by a board of trustees elected from the community. It boasts a nationwide membership and its support comes from individuals and organizations, as well as city, state and federal granting agencies.

For information about the museum readers may call (212) 228-0110; fax: (212) 228-1947; e-mail [email protected]; or log on to: www.ukrainianmuseum.org.

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