Palo Alto Awarded $129,000 Grant To Fund Museums

PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto was awarded a $129,000 CARES grant from the Institute of Museums and Library Services, city officials said in a news release.

The grant will help fund the Palo Alto City Library, Palo Alto Art Center and the Junior Museum & Zoo to support Onsite to Virtual: Expanding Access to Community Learning Resources, a project enhancing community virtual programming during the continued public health emergency.

“Palo Alto City Library is grateful to the Institute of Museums and Library Services for this grant opportunity as we continue to adapt and transform library services to meet the needs of the Palo Alto community”, acting-Library Director Gayathri Kanth said in a statement.

“This funding will further the City’s efforts to offer additional virtual community programming and provide new tools as we look to continue to serve the community through this ongoing pandemic.”

Palo Alto’s unique project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services grant award, city officials said.

Grants will support programming throughout the nation with only 11 west coast libraries and museums and four other California agencies awarded grant funding, such as the Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley, and a cohort of museums from the National Informal STEM Education Network, and the Children's Creativity Museum; Museum of Natural and Cultural History, University of Oregon; and Seattle Public Library.

“A critical element of this new Palo Alto programming involves virtual opportunities for art engagement, education, and dialogue,” Palo Alto Art Center Director Karen Kienzle said in a statement.

“The Art Center is thrilled to substantially increase the quality and volume of its digital offerings to the public."