For 22 years the federal IMLS has encouraged the best in museum service by awarding General Operating Support grants. This year over 500 museum professionals reviewed 823 applications from museums throughout the nation. One of the hallmarks of the federal grants awarded today is their flexibility. Decisions about how to spend this money are made at the local level.
Museums are free to determine how best to use the money to improve their service to the public.
Receiving this grant is an important milestone in a museum's endeavor to achieve excellence. This encourages donations from foundations, private patrons and the business community, all of which contribute to the longevity of the museum. General Operating Support grants are highly competitive. Grants are awarded to all types of museums, from anthropological to zoological, fine art and folk art, urban and rural, large and small. Museums as diverse as the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Wyoming, the Bronx Zoo, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, Texas, and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis are among this year's winners of this prestigious award.