CARES Act economic stabilization grants were awarded to support essential operations at cultural institutions across the country
Rochester, N.Y., September 9, 2020—The George Eastman Museum has been awarded $135,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) CARES Act grant program to support essential operations of the museum that have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant funds will allow the museum to sustain, expand, and institutionalize the museum’s digital programs. The Eastman Museum was one of 317 cultural organizations selected to receive a grant award through this highly competitive program.
The NEH CARES Act grant funding will contribute support to the retention of 17 full-time employees as the Eastman Museum expands its digital programs and offerings. In March, the museum launched Eastman Museum at Home, a repository for activities, online resources, tutorials, and virtual tours to keep people engaged in learning about photography, cinema, and the legacy of George Eastman. NEH CARES Act funds will bolster the museum’s online offerings by digitizing and creating access to films, webinars, artist talks, videos, and virtual tours of the Eastman Museum and collections. In addition, the museum will also produce audio tours and podcasts for the mansion, gardens, and exhibitions.
“Navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, but we have created new virtual ways to connect with our communities and broaden our reach,” said Bruce Barnes, PhD, Ron and Donna Fielding Director, George Eastman Museum. “By supporting the continued expansion of new lines of programming and offerings for people all over the world, the National Endowment for the Humanities has helped the Eastman Museum advance our mission during this uncertain time.”
For more information about Eastman Museum at Home programs and activities and all of the museum’s digital offerings, visit eastman.org.
About the National Endowment for the Humanities
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at neh.gov.
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