NEWS

Knoxville Museum of Art Awarded Prestigious Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services

September 27, 2010

Thanks to a Museums for America grant from the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the Knoxville Museum of Art will receive funding for educational and curatorial programming surrounding the ongoing KMA exhibition Higher Ground: A Century of the Visual Arts in East Tennessee.

“Funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services is intensively competitive,” said KMA Executive Director David Butler. “Applications to this federal agency are rigorously reviewed by national leaders in the museum field. The success of the KMA’s application validates the quality, value, and strategic direction of the museum, especially its expanded focus on the art and artists of our own region.”

Museums for America (MFA) is the Institute’s largest grant program for museums, providing more than $19 million in grants to support the role of museums in American society to sustain cultural heritage, to support lifelong learning; and to be centers of community engagement. Museums for America grants strengthen a museum’s ability to serve the public more effectively by supporting high-priority activities that advance the institution’s mission and strategic goals.

“This year’s MFA grant recipients are truly an exciting and diverse group of museums, representing the remarkable ways that large and small institutions are serving communities,” said IMLS Acting Director Marsha L. Semmel. “The work of these institutions will educate and inspire citizens of all ages. IMLS is pleased to support museums as they engage their communities through programming tailored to their specific needs, and this round of MFA grants furthers this work.”

IMLS
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit www.imls.gov.

The Knoxville Museum of Art
The Knoxville Museum of Art celebrates the art and artists of East Tennessee, presents new art and new ideas, serves and educates diverse audiences, and enhances Knoxville’s quality of life. The museum is located in downtown Knoxville at 1050 World’s Fair Park and is open to the public Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday 10 am–5 pm, Friday 10 am–8 pm, and Sunday 1 pm-5 pm. Admission and parking are free. For more information, contact Angela Thomas at 865.934.2034 or visit www.knoxart.org.