Press Release

Tucson, AZ – Tucson Museum of Art and Historic Block (TMA) has been awarded a $220,000 National Leadership Grant for Museums by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) for Expanding Narratives, an interdisciplinary project that will support the development of culturally responsive approaches to gallery-based instruction, curatorial practices, and programming. The three-year project will begin on November 1, 2019.

The National Leadership Grant for Museums program supports projects that address critical needs of the museum field and have the potential to advance practice in the profession, improving services for the American public. The grants address evolving needs and trends for museums, contributing best practices, tested tools, and innovative partnership models for the entire sector.

“As centers of learning and catalysts of community change, libraries and museums connect people with programs, services, collections, information, and new ideas in the arts, sciences, and humanities. They serve as vital spaces where people can connect with each other,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. “IMLS is proud to support their work through our grant making as they inform and inspire all in their communities.”

The primary objectives of Expanding Narratives are:

• Cultivate collaborations with local communities and engage in critical conversations to explore the intersections between works of art in TMA’s permanent collection and the cultures from which those works originate and represent.
• Examine how TMA cares for and interprets the collection and how the museum reflects the diverse demographics and culture of the region.
• Critically investigate and review how the museum presents information and knowledge and who constructs these narratives.

“This is one of the largest national grants awarded in the museum’s history and enables TMA to champion inclusion and equity by fostering a responsive, collaborative, and multivocal institution,” said TMA CEO Jeremy Mikolajczak. “The award validates the exemplary work of curators, Dr. Marianna Pegno and Christine Brindza. Most importantly, it comes at a critical time in TMA’s history as we examine our collecting practices and develop our vision for an impactful community-driven future.”

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.