August 20, 2010 – Colorado State University’s University Art Museum was recently awarded a $119,546 Museums for America grant from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services to electronically catalog and manage its collection of about 3,000 works of art.

Enhance ability to share resources

“We are honored to be among the 2010 recipients of the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ Museums for America grants,” said Linny Frickman, director of CSU’s University Art Museum.

“Our award will be used for collection stewardship, completing the catalog of the collection and transfering existing records to an accessible museum-quality collection management database system. The database will allow staff to effectively use collection information for research, program, publication and exhibition development. Ultimately the comprehensive database will enhance our ability to share our resources with the campus and Northern Colorado community.”

Electronically manage collection

“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. Funded projects support digitization and collections management plans, enhanced accessibility, environmental literacy, and much more. The work of these institutions will educate and inspire citizens of all ages. The Institute of Museum and Library Services 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,” said, Marsha L. Semmel, acting director at the institute.

Museums for America 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.

Resource for study of art, art history, and other related disciplines

Located in CSU’s University Center for the Arts, the museum is dedicated to the enrichment of the cultural and intellectual life of Colorado through the presentation of artwork that is stimulating, relevant, and of high quality. Through innovative exhibitions, programs and publications the museum brings artists, the university community and the people of Fort Collins into engagements with each other, with important contemporary cultural issues, and with the art of diverse times, peoples and places. The museum serves as a resource for the study of art, art history, and other related disciplines, extending the university’s educational and scholarly programs to the community at large.

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 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.