Small Museum Grant application period now open

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Heritage, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, is accepting applications for the Small Museum Grants Program, which funds projects for up to $2,500 for Arkansas history museums, historical societies, historic houses and sites, and military museums. The deadline for applying is April 29.

“The small museum grants are an important funding source for local museums,” ADPHT Secretary Stacy Hurst said. “Small community museums and historical societies help keep a place vibrant, both for residents and area visitors, and we are very pleased to be able to provide a helping hand in that effort.”

Eligible organizations must have an annual operating budget of $250,000 or less and a staff of at least one person, either paid or volunteer, and must be open to the public at least 90 days per year. Eligible activities include buildings and grounds maintenance, operating costs/utilities, equipment purchases up to $1,000, accessioning of artifact collections, conservation resources, exhibits and website design.

“Arkansas communities have great stories to tell from every corner of the state and many small museums with wonderful volunteers who work to tell those local stories,” Arkansas Heritage Director Jimmy Bryant said. “But too often, these local organizations are woefully underfunded. We are delighted that these grants can help support their important endeavors.”

For more information on the grant process or to apply online, visit www.arkansasheritage.com/available-grants/department-of-arkansasheritage-grants/small-museumgrants-program, or contact Debra Fithen, grants manager for the Division of Arkansas Heritage, at debra.fithen@arkansas.gov or (501) 324-9150.