But only 8 percent of the museum community unfortunately, believe they have the resources to cope with critical issues in the near future. This recent period of shrinking or relatively static budget has meant that the General Operating Support program, the core of the museum half of IMLS, was only able to fund 19 percent of applications in FY 2000, down from 20 percent in FY 1998, and 26 percent in FY 1995. Yet according to outside peer reviewers 59 percent of the grants are worthy of funding. Given that the program is highly competitive and receiving an award is a mark of great achievement, and recognized by the field as such, that 59 percent figure is truly remarkable. And while most of those additional awards would be small grants, they would have a strong multiplier effect on private and state funds for the recipient museums, funds that will clearly help museums further increase and enhance their services to local school systems and other community organizations.
Museums are first and foremost educational.
In fact, education has always been a cornerstone of museum service. But, it has taken on even more significance and prominence. Museums have the capacity to contribute to formal and informal learning at every stage of life, from education of children in preschool through secondary school to the continuing education of adults. They add a tangible dimension to learning that occurs in formal settings. Prior to the issuance of Excellence and Equity and True Needs, True Partners, the idea that museums make a major contribution to education was broadly understood.