Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants

From the Blog

Why So Bleak? (no comments) - Is it helpful to project dismal forecasts about the state of local historical societies to the public? How can the history museum community refocus messages about our museums to focus on all the positive things we do?

Data for Dollars (new post) - A review of some current cultural data collection efforts. What kind of information would help you demonstrate to funders the worthiness of your organization?

Facebook Findings

Since its launch in August, 328 people have begun following Minnesota Local History on Facebook, including influential people from Minnesota Public Radio, the Smithsonian, and more. The meteoric rise is attributable to the many important things that local historical organizations do. Don't miss out on these daily insights!

Job Opportunities

Telefundraiser
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis MN, seeks Telefundraiser. Deadline: January 21, 2011.

Carpenter
Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis MN, seeks Carpenter. Deadline: January 31, 2011.

Communications Assistant
Minnesota Humanities Center seeks Communications Assistant, an independent contractor position. Email resume, samples of previous work, and references to Kathleen.

Do History Here

American Girl Movie Night
Minnesota Discovery Center hosts free family movie night, Thursday January 13, 2011, 6:30 p.m. Featured film: "Kit Kittridge, an American Girl." Free kids' craft. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

Wagon Building Talk
Denmark Township Historical Society hosts seventeen-year-old David Pochardt, who will discuss his experience with building a full-size triple grain box wagon, Tuesday January 18, 2011, 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Denmark Township. Call 612-823-4934 for more information.

ARTitecture Exhibit Opening
Dakota County Historical Society presents a new exhibit "ARTitecture" at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, Thursday January 20, 2011, 6-8 p.m. Call 651-552-7548 for more information. Contact Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 952-895-4685, to RSVP.

Pink Panther Exhibit
Stearns History Museum hosts "The Indelible (P)ink: The Pink Panther and Popular Culture," on loan through January 20, 2011 from Daura Gallery, Lynchburg College (VA). Movie cels and drawings on exhibit. Call Ann Meline, 320-253-8424, for more information.

Annual Meeting
Dakota County Historical Society announces its annual membership meeting on Saturday January 29, 2011, 11 a.m. at Lawshe Memorial Museum. Keynote speaker Bill Wittenbreer will present "Looking Forward: Mid-Nineteenth-Century Predictions for Minnesota's Future." Call 651-552-7548 for more information or to RSVP.

Keeping Warm in Moorhead
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County announces the opening of a new hall case exhibit, "Keeping Warm: Winter Wear and Pastimes." For more information call 218-299-5511.

Continuing Education

Free Webinars
American Association for State and Local History offers free StEPs webinars this winter. Registration now open.

Small Museum Pro! Classes
Online classes available for professional certification program for those who work, or want to work, in small museums. Small Museum Pro! courses start January 18, 2011. Contact Rebbecca Gossett at Eastern New Mexico University for more information, or call 575-562-2165 to register.

Fund Your Mission

Minnesota Beautiful Grants
Valspar Corporation donates paint for community restoration or beautification projects through the Minnesota Beautiful (Picture It Painted) program. Deadline for applications is March 7, 2011 for Southern Minnesota, Northeast Minnesota, and West Central Minnesota. The same deadline applies to Southwest Minnesota, which will post updated information soon.

Arts Funding Program
Laura Jane Musser Fund offers Arts Funding Program grant. Deadline: March 23, 2011.

News

Group Insurance Survey
Country School Association of America plans to develop a group insurance package for one-room and country school buildings. They request that owners of historic school buildings take a short survey about affordable insurance options.

Save the Windows
National Trust for Historic Preservation announces new social media campaign to help the public understand that retaining and repairing existing historic windows is a good option over replacement.  

Historic Bridges
New resource for historic bridges now available from Mn/DOT.

Collections Care Resource
With collections departments understaffed and artifacts in danger of damage due to improper storage conditions, properly trained volunteers can be beneficial to museums.

Field Note

Mower County Historical Society received a collections inventory grant for $43,280 in the Spring mid and large size grants round. On a recent visit, State Senator Dan Sparks and executive director Dustin Heckman examined the impact of these Legacy funds. Photo courtesy Mower County Historical Society.