Every $3 you give to SCM’s Collections Initiative, NEH gives SCM $1

NEH Challenge Grant Collections Initiative

SONOMA COUNTY MUSEUM RECEIVES $300,000 CHALLENGE GRANT FROM NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES

Major Matching Grant Awarded to Endow Collections and Develop Long-term Collections Storage.

The Sonoma County Museum (SCM) recently received a 5 year, $300,000 dollar Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in support of its Collections Initiative. Only one other NEH Challenge Grant was given in California in December 2010.

Endowment for a Collections Manager Position
Funds a $1 million endowment supporting collections maintenance. SCM plans to spend 4% of the interest annually to cover salary and expenses for a Collections Manager. This position furthers the museum's project of preserving our collection and creating a public access online database: enhancing scholarly research in our region and providing educational resources to the community.
New High-Quality Collections Storage Facility
Funds $200,000 toward the creation of an upgraded storage space for the Museum’s art and history collections. This includes a state-of-the art HVAC system, security, shelving and racks. The new facility will lead to better and more frequent display of SCM’s rich collection and guarantee availability of these objects to future generations.
Support the Museum's efforts to ensure the permanence and accessibility of our collection

The NEH matching grant was awarded to SCM’s Collections Initiative, a project directed by Executive Director, Diane Evans and History Curator, Eric Stanley. The grant requires the Museum to raise $900,000 over the next five years in matching funds. The grant and matching dollars will total $1.2 million, which will be designated toward an endowment for collections management and long-term collections storage. The museum’s collection features over 22,000 artworks and artifacts documenting the history and culture of California's North Coast region.

Click here to view Section 106 Public Announcement as required by the NEH for use of public funds for construction.