CALL FOR AWARDS NOMINATIONS

Each year, PA Museums recognizes the special achievements of museums and historical organizations in Pennsylvania. This is your invitation to nominate a project or process that is exemplary, or an individual for their outstanding service or achievements.

PA Museums’ awards program is designed to:

·    Serve as public recognition of staff and volunteers doing exemplary work;

·    Encourage institutions to establish and maintain standards of excellence;

·    Provide a vehicle to promote institutional achievement and individual professional success; 

·    Reinforce case statements attesting to the quality of your programs in grant applications, fundraising materials, or sponsorship proposals; and

·    Publicly honor awardees with peers and invited guests at a special awards ceremony during PA Museums’ statewide conference.

The deadline to submit awards nominations is February 20, 2026.

To see our guidelines and find links to the nomination forms, please visit our website.

SUPPORT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is now accepting applications for its FY26 discretionary grant cycle. As the leading source of federal funding for American museums, libraries, and related institutions, IMLS funding opportunities play a crucial role in supporting heritage preservation, workforce development, and civic education. Institutions across the United States are encouraged to apply to the agency’s programs by March 13, 2026. Program descriptions and available applicant resources are listed below. 

Museum Grant Programs: 

·    21st Century Museum Professionals Program - Supports projects that offer professional development to the current museum workforce, train and recruit future professionals, and share effective workforce development practices.

·    Inspire! Grants for Small Museums - Supports small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public. 

·    Museum Grants for African American History and Culture - Builds the capacity of African American museums and supports the growth and development of their staffs. 

·    Museum Grants for American Latino History and Culture - Builds the capacity of American Latino history and culture museums to serve their communities and advance the growth and development of a professional workforce. 

·    Museums Empowered - Supports projects that use the transformative power of professional development and training to generate change within museums of all types and sizes. 

·    Museums for America - Supports museums of all sizes and disciplines in strategic, project-based efforts to serve the public. 

·    National Leadership Grants for Museums - Supports projects that address critical needs of the museum field and that have the potential to advance the profession and strengthen museum services for the American public.

PA MUSEUMS'METEOR

The Meteor from PA Museums keeps you updated on our activities and happenings in the field. We share a Meteor every month or so, and our association's members receive Tapestry. If you like the Meteor and you're not on our membership list to receive Tapestry, please consider joining PA Museums. Our most recent Tapestry newsletter had more information about grants available, upcoming professional development opportunities, a news roundup, and a link to our frequently updated jobs page. You can click here to join PA Museums as a member.

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