The Utah Humanities Council (UHC) and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums (DAM), with advice from the Utah Museums Association (UMA), are pleased to offer a joint grant program to aid Utah’s small museums (with operating budgets under $200,000) tell their stories and strengthen their interpretive programs. Funds for Museum Interpretation Grants are made possible by the National Endowment for the Humanities and through state appropriations. Generous support for the Museum Interpretation grant program has also been given bythe George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation.
In the context of museum work, to interpret an object means to tell a story through educational exhibits, public programming, publications, or other means. Museum Interpretation Grants provide financial support for projects that enhance museum interpretation such as developing docent/volunteer training programs, researching and interpreting objects, and writing exhibit text, labels and other interpretive materials.
Eligibility and Guidelines
- Basic Guidelines (pdf)
Funding Amount
- up to $2,000
Museum Interpretation Grants May Not Be Used For:
- multi-year projects
- projects completed prior to application submittal
- professional conferences or invitational meetings
- political action or advocacy
- receptions, food, or entertainment
- indirect costs/overhead
- salaries for permanent full-time or part-time staff positions
- building construction, maintenance, renovation, or preservation
- property, building, or general operating equipment purchase
- scholarships or tuition for college or training courses
- deficits
- acquisitions of collections
- fund-raising events/product
- endowments
- creative or performing arts, unless direclty associated with museum interpretation activities
How to Apply
Deadline
Program Start Date: Proposal must be submitted 6-8 weeks prior to project start date. Applicants should anticipate potential revisions to application as part of the review process.
Required Draft Application Deadlines |
Final Application Deadlines |
Notification Dates |
Reviewed By |
Review of draft required |
Applications accepted year round |
Committee meets four (4) times per year |
UHC staff & advisory committee |
Award Recipients
- View Past Award Projects/Recipients (pdf)
Funded Grants: Grant Award Package
When a grant is awarded, UHC will mail the Project Director their award letter and sign along with the following attachments:
- Grant Agreement (pdf)
- Project Director Instructions (pdf)
- Fiscal Agent Instructions (pdf)
- Project Director’s Final Report (pdf)
- Cash Request (pdf)
- Audience Evaluation Sample (pdf)
Questions?
- Contact Megan van Frank at 801-359-9670 x110
