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    Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission Accepting Applications for Cultural and Historical Support Grants to Museums, County Historical Societies

    October 03, 2022

    ​Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications from qualified museums and official county historical societies for nearly $2 million in Cultural and Historical Support Grants.

     

    This is the 11th year that PHMC has worked with the state legislature to provide funding for museums through the grant program.

     

    “Museums and historical organizations represent the collective memory of all Pennsylvanians.  These cultural institutions help us make sense of the past, providing context for decision making today and helping us chart a course toward the future we want to see,” said PHMC Executive Director Andrea Lowery. “We’re pleased to be able to provide the vital funds for general museum support.”

     

    The goals of the Cultural and Historical Support Grants Program include:

     

    • Strengthening the Pennsylvania museum community.
    • Providing general operating support to museums and official county historical societies that are not supported by other state agency funding programs.
    • Allowing applicants to determine and describe how they will use funds.
    • Keeping the application process fair and simple.
    • Determining award amounts using an equation based on a percentage of the previous year’s operating budget; and
    • Achieving geographical balance in the distribution of grants.

     

    The Cultural and Historical Support Grants Program is available to:

     

    • Eligible museums located in Pennsylvania with annual operating budgets exceeding $100,000 and at least one full-time professional staff person (some museums are not eligible if they are eligible for grant support from other state agencies). The maximum award being $65,000.
    • Official county historical societies, with awards ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.

     

    The application period is now open. All applications must be completed by Monday, November 6, 2023. Please note that all PHMC grant applications are now submitted on the Commonwealth’s Single Application for Assistance system. The PHMC website has eligibility information and grant guidelines. Grants are expected to be approved at the December 7, 2022, commission meeting.

     

    To confirm eligibility or learn about the application process, please contact Rusty Baker, executive director of PA Museums, at (717) 909-4951 or c-rubaker@pa.gov. PA Museums is assisting PHMC with the administration of the grant program.

     

    The Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Learn more by visiting PHMC online or following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn.