Subchapter A. PENNSYLVANIA MUSEUM ASSISTANCE GRANTS
GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec.
17.1. Types of Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grants.
17.2. Who may apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant.
17.3. Who may not apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant.
17.4. Multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations.
SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS
17.21. Special Project Support Grants.
17.22. Eligibility requirements for Special Project Support Grants.
17.23. General conditions for Special Project Support Grants.
17.24. Ineligible activities for Special Project Support Grants.
17.25. Categories of support for Special Project Support Grants.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
17.41. Technical Assistance Grants.
17.42. Eligibility requirements for Technical Assistance Grants.
17.43. General conditions for Technical Assistance Grants.
17.44. Ineligible activities for Technical Assistance Grants.
17.45. Categories of support for Technical Assistance Grants.
Source The provisions of this Chapter 17 adopted March 24, 1989, effective March 25, 1989, 19 Pa.B. 1316, unless otherwise noted.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 17.1. Types of Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grants.
There are two types of Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grants: Special Project Support Grants and Technical Assistance Grants.
§ 17.2. Who may apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant.
(a) Institutions that meet the American Association of Museums’ definition of a museum as ‘‘an organized and permanent nonprofit institution, essentially educational or aesthetic in purpose, with a professional staff (paid or unpaid), which owns and utilizes tangible objects, cares for them and exhibits them to the public on some regular schedule’’, may apply for grant assistance.
(b) The following are among the types of museums that are eligible to apply if they satisfy other eligibility requirements:
(1) Aquariums.
(2) Arboretums.
(3) Art museums.
(4) Botanical gardens.
(5) Children’s museums.
(6) General museums—with two or more equally significant disciplines.
(7) History museums.
(8) Historic houses/sites.
(9) Natural history museums.
(10) Nature centers.
(11) Planetariums.
(12) Science/technology centers.
(13) Specialized museums—limited to a single, distinct subject or organizations with two or more museums of different disciplines.
(14) Zoological parks.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.22 (relating to eligibility requirements for Special Project Support Grants); and 46 Pa. Code § 17.42 (relating to eligibility requirements for Technical Assistance Grants).
§ 17.3. Who may not apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant.
Institutions and others that are not eligible to apply include:
(1) Museums outside of this Commonwealth.
(2) Museums operated for profit.
(3) Museums owned or operated by the Federal or State government, except as part of a collaborative grant project.
(4) Museum consortiums or associations that represent museums, but are not museums in themselves.
(5) Associate groups at historic sites and museums administered by the Historical and Museum Commission, except as part of a collaborative grant with a nonaffiliated museum.
§ 17.4. Multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations.
(a) Multipurpose government or nonprofit organizations which own and operate two or more museums that meet the definition of a museum as ‘‘an organized and permanent nonprofit institution, essentially educational or aesthetic in purpose, with a professional staff, which owns and utilizes tangible objects, cares for them and exhibits them to the public on some regular schedule’’, and which meet the following eligibility criteria, may apply for Special Project Support and Technical Assistance Grants that benefit the museums under their management. For purposes of the grant program, these will be considered to be collaborative grants. To qualify the organization shall:
(1) Be located in this Commonwealth.
(2) Have tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service or be an entity of government.
(3) Have been incorporated and in existence for at least 2 years prior to the submission of the grant application.
(4) Have at least one full-time paid staff member whose primary responsibility is to oversee the operations of the multipurpose organization.
(5) Be registered with the Pennsylvania Commission on Charitable Organizations, if required.
(b) Multipurpose organizations who feel that they are eligible are encouraged to contact the Historical and Museum Commission Grants Manager to discuss their eligibility and project ideas.
(c) Individual museums within multipurpose organizations may also apply for grants if they function as a discrete unit within the parent organization. For purposes of funding, a museum which is part of a larger organization will be deemed eligible if the following conditions are met:
(1) The museum has at least one full-time professional staff member, or the equivalent, paid or unpaid, whose responsibilities are solely for the museum’s services, operations and administration.
(2) The museum has administrative autonomy for its operations.
(3) The museum has a fully segregated and itemized operating budget within that of the parent organization.
(4) The museum is able to separately and distinctly fulfill eligibility and application requirements as defined in this chapter.
(d) Information presented in the application from individual museum should be only that of the eligible museum applicant. Activities of the parent organization which are not directly related to the museum’s operation should not be discussed, as the grant award will be based solely on the quality of the museum’s services and operations.
(e) Each parent multipurpose organization controlling more than one museum may submit only one collaborative grant application on behalf of the museums under their management. Qualified individual museums may also submit grant applications individually and may collaborate with other qualified museums that are not affiliated with the parent organization.
(f) Both the parent multipurpose organization and individual museums applying for grant support shall meet the conditions described under § § 17.21—17.25 and 17.41—17.44.
SPECIAL PROJECT SUPPORT GRANTS
§ 17.21. Special Project Support Grants.
Special Project Support Grants on a matching basis are available to museums in four major categories: institutional development; collections management; educational and interpretive programs; and marketing and promotion. Collaborative grants in these areas are encouraged. The grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and museums applying shall meet the following standards and criteria.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.22. Eligibility requirements for Special Project Support Grants.
(a) To be eligible for Special Project Support Grants, an institution shall meet the definition of a qualified museum—see § 17.2 (relating to who may apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant). Institutions that do not meet the minimum standards may apply for funds as part of a collaborative grant with a qualified institution or may apply for Technical Assistance Grants.
(b) In addition, an applicant for a Special Project Support Grant shall meet the following criteria:
(1) Be located in this Commonwealth.
(2) Have tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service or be operated by an entity of government.
(3) Be open on a regular basis with a publically announced and adhered to schedule at least 100 days per annum.
(4) Have been incorporated and exhibiting to the public for at least 2 years prior to the submission of the grant application.
(5) Have at least one full-time paid or unpaid staff member or the equivalent, whose primary duty is the care, acquisition or exhibition to the public of objects owned or used by the museum.
(6) Be registered with the Pennsylvania Commission on Charitable Organizations, if required.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.23. General conditions for Special Project Support Grants.
There are a number of general conditions for Special Project Support Grants, in addition to those listed under terms and conditions of the grant.
(1) An applicant for a Special Project Support Grant is limited to one application per museum except for collaborative grants. The museum may also submit different project grant applications for Technical Assistance Grants or Local History Grants, or both. To maximize the impact on the museum community of the Historical and Museum Commission grant program, if an institution receives a Special Project Support Grant it will not be considered for a Technical Assistance Grant.
(2) Matching requirements are as follows:
(i) Special Project Support Grants will be awarded on a 50/50 matching basis.
(ii) Cash matches are encouraged, although in-kind contributions may be used as a portion of the matching requirement.
(3) Grant awards will not exceed $30,000 or, in the case where the institution’s budget is less than $300,000, 10% of that budget.
(4) The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Historical and Museum Commission will not fund the same grant request.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.24. Ineligible activities for Special Project Support Grants.
Special Project Support Grants may not be used to fund the following:
(1) Endowments.
(2) General operating support.
(3) Acquisition of objects for the collection.
(4) Capital improvements projects.
(5) Existing part-time or full-time staff positions.
(6) Projects that have been initiated prior to the date of the award.
(7) Projects that serve a religious purpose.
(8) Exhibitions or public programs not available to the general public or taking place primarily outside of this Commonwealth.
(9) Prizes and awards.
(10) Expenses for entertainment.
(11) Lobbying expenses.
(12) Book publications.
(13) Purchases of equipment valued over $300—without prior written approval.
(14) Printing costs over $300—without prior written approval.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.25. Categories of support for Special Project Support Grants.
The following categories of support were developed based in part on issues identified in a needs assessment survey of the Commonwealth’s museum community. Each category is broadly defined and includes examples of the kind of projects that might be considered. The examples are not a complete list of eligible projects for consideration.
(1) Institutional development. Grant assistance is available to improve the management and administration of the museum as a nonprofit institution including its long term financial and administrative viability. Examples of projects to be considered include:
(i) Management development and long range planning.
(ii) Development of earned income potential through sales facilities, publications and other programs.
(iii) Analysis of staffing patterns and personnel policies.
(iv) Fund-raising plans.
(v) Followup on the American Association of Museums’ Museum Assessment Program (MAP) or recommendations of an American Association of Museums’ accreditation review.
(vi) Staff training programs.
(vii) Facilities use plans and energy audits.
(viii) Plans for handicapped accessibility.
(2) Collections management. Grant assistance is available to care for the needs of the museum’s collections including registration, cataloging, research needs and conservation. Examples of projects to be considered include:
(i) Development of cataloging systems.
(ii) Cataloging and related collection research.
(iii) Analysis of climate control, security and storage problems.
(iv) Conservation treatment of specific objects.
(v) Historic structures reports.
(vi) Archaeological site surveys (not excavation) and cataloging of archaeological collections.
(vii) Programs that would promote collection sharing among institutions.
(viii) Followup on the American Association of Museums’ Museum Assessment Program II (MAP II).
(3) Educational and interpretive programs. Grant assistance is available to provide better interpretation to the general public and special audiences through exhibits, seminars, demonstrations and other programs. Examples of projects to be considered include:
(i) Design, preparation and installation of exhibits, including related public programs.
(ii) Development of and support of curriculum projects.
(iii) Furnishing plans, interpretive plans and landscaping plans.
(iv) Living history programs and craft demonstrations.
(v) Staff and volunteer training.
(vi) Interpretive seminars, lectures and workshops.
(vii) Research directed toward educational and interpretive programs.
(viii) Pamphlets and printed material to support specific public programs or exhibits, or both, for which funds are being requested.
(ix) Outreach programs to schools and community organizations.
(x) Exhibit sharing and traveling exhibits.
(4) Marketing and promotion. Grant assistance is available to develop higher levels of visitation and improve an institution’s visibility in the community and across the State. Examples of projects to be considered include:
(i) Media relations.
(ii) Membership and corporate development.
(iii) Visitor surveys.
(iv) Preparation of brochures and other visitors aids.
(v) Marketing plans.
(vi) Production of marketing tools such as videotapes and audiovisual programs.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS
§ 17.41. Technical Assistance Grants.
Technical Assistance Grants, with no matching requirements, are available to assist museums with limited or short range projects, and to help museums prepare for eventual accreditation by the American Association of Museums. The grants are particularly appropriate for small museums or for those institutions who cannot meet the minimum qualifications for the Special Project Support Grants. Some examples of the kinds of projects funded include upgrading exhibits, conservation surveys, energy audits, management and planning consultants, development of general management plans, archaeological surveys, membership development, followup on the American Association of Museums’ Museum Assessment Program (MAP) and staff development and professional training.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.42. Eligibility requirements for Technical Assistance Grants.
To be eligible for Technical Assistance Grants, an institution shall meet the American Association of Museums’ definition of a museum as defined in § 17.2 (relating to who may apply for a Pennsylvania Museum Assistance Grant). The requirement that the institution have a professional staff or be open to the public on a regular basis is not mandatory. At a minimum, the museum shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Be located in this Commonwealth.
(2) Have tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service or be operated by an entity of government.
(3) Have been incorporated and accessible to the public for at least 2 years prior to the submission of the grant application.
(4) Be registered with the Pennsylvania Commission on Charitable Organizations if required.
(5) Have as a primary purpose the display or use of collections and exhibits.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.43. General conditions for Technical Assistance Grants.
There are several general conditions for Technical Assistance Grants in addition to the conditions listed under terms and conditions of the grant:
(1) One application per museum.
(2) Grant awards will not exceed $3,000 and may be applied for in any amount up to that limit.
(3) No matching requirement.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.44. Ineligible activities for Technical Assistance Grants.
Technical Assistance Grants may not be used to fund the following:
(1) Endowments.
(2) General operating support.
(3) Acquisition of objects for the collection.
(4) Capital improvement projects.
(5) Existing part-time or full-time staff positions.
(6) Projects that have been initiated prior to the date of the award.
(7) Projects that serve a religious purpose.
(8) Exhibitions or programs not available to the general public or taking place primarily outside of this Commonwealth.
(9) Prizes and awards.
(10) Expenses for entertainment.
(11) Lobbying expenses.
(12) Book publications.
(13) Purchase of equipment valued over $300—without prior written approval.
(14) Printing costs over $300—without prior written approval.
Cross References This section cited in 46 Pa. Code § 17.4 (relating to multipurpose organizations and museums within multipurpose organizations).
§ 17.45. Categories of support for Technical Assistance Grants.
The following is a list of examples of projects, that the Commission will consider funding as a Technical Assistance Grant:
(1) Upgrading exhibits.
(2) Conservation surveys.
(3) Energy audits.
(4) Consultants for management review and long range planning.
(5) Development of general management plans.
(6) Archaeological surveys.
(7) Membership development.
(8) Follow-up to the American Association of Museum’s Museum Assistance Program.
(9) Staff development and professional training.
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