Grant Makes Art Accessible For All

Housatonic Museum of Art (HMA), located on the Housatonic Community College campus in downtown Bridgeport, is proud to announce that it recently received a $40,824 Inspire! Grant for Small Museums from The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The grant will allow HMA to increase access to its collections by documenting, digitizing, and archiving 600 objects. Through this funding, the museum will launch an online collections database, expanding visitor access beyond the limited number of collection items that are available for viewing during in-person visits.

“We are grateful to IMLS for this generous support that will allow the museum to make the collection available to both scholars and the public allowing access to many more inaccessible works of art,” said Robbin Zella, former Director of the Housatonic Museum of Art. “This funding will also allow us to update object records and condition assessments, as well as add digital assets to the collections database.”

The Institute of Museum and Library Services Inspire! Grants for Small Museums is a special initiative of the Museums for America program. It is designed to help small museums implement projects that address priorities identified in their strategic plans.

"As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities."

The Housatonic Museum of Art is home to one of the premier college art collections in the United States. Its collection offers students and the community alike the opportunity to view works that span the history of art from the ancient to the contemporary. Unique to the Housatonic Community College campus, this permanent collection is on continuous display throughout the 300,000-square-foot facility, offering a rare opportunity for both art enthusiasts and casual observers to view and interact with the art on a daily basis. Visit www.HousatonicMuseum.org to learn more.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and libraries work together to transform the lives of individuals and communities. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.