WKU News

The Kentucky Museum at Western Kentucky University will receive a $49,970 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the “Inspire! Grants for Small Museums” program. One of 60 humanities projects from across the country to receive funding, the Kentucky Museum is one of three successful applicants from Kentucky program-wide to receive a grant in the Inspire! program.  The program is a special initiative of the Museums for America grant program, which was designed to reduce the application burden on small museums and help them address priorities identified in their strategic plans.

This grant will be used to implement part of the museum’s Preservation Environment Improvement Plan to upgrade the museum’s systems and help preserve the museum’s collection of 30,000 artifacts. Specifically, the project will focus on system upgrades at the museum’s off-site storage, working in consultation with Steven Weintraub, principal and founder of Art Preservation Services, who specializes in objects conservation and environmental preservation.

“The Kentucky Museum at WKU does fantastic work preserving the history of the Commonwealth and showcasing Kentucky culture and heritage,” said Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02). “This grant will allow the museum to improve and preserve its collections. I want to congratulate WKU for receiving this competitive award. I look forward to visiting when the museum reopens!”

“The Kentucky Museum is always grateful to our federal agency partners for the ongoing support of our preservation efforts,” shared Brent Bjorkman, Director of WKU’s Kentucky Museum. “This IMLS Inspire grant will help further safeguard our artifacts by improving the physical preservation environment in which they are housed. This is a special gift to help ensure the museum remains a regional lighthouse for sharing the art, history, and culture of our campus and regional community for years to come.”

Due to COVID-19, the Kentucky Museum remains closed to the general public until further notice.

About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
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.