Opportunity Information: Apply for SPARKS MUSEUMS FY15
Apply for SPARKS MUSEUMS FY15
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services in the arts (see cultural affairs in cfda) humanities (see cultural affairs in cfda) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 45.312 National Leadership Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Sep 25, 2014 and posted on Sep 25, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 1, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $143,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $25,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- To be eligible for an award under the Sparks Grants program, you must be an organization that meets all three of the following criteria You must be either a unit of State or local government or be a private nonprofit organization that has tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code You must be located in one of the 50 States of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau and You must qualify as one of the following A museum that, using a professional staff, is organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes owns or uses tangible objects, either animate or inanimate cares for these objects and exhibits these objects to the general public on a regular basis through facilities that it owns or operates. What types of institutions are included in the term museum If they otherwise meet these requirements, including the criteria in (3)(a) above, museums include, but are not limited to, aquariums, arboretums, art museums, botanical gardens, children s/youth museums, general museums (those having two or more significant disciplines), historic houses/sites, history museums, natural history/anthropology museums, nature centers, planetariums, science/technology centers, specialized museums (limited to a single distinct subject), and zoological parks. What does it mean to be using a professional staff An institution uses a professional staff if it employs at least one staff member, or the full time equivalent, whether paid or unpaid, primarily engaged in the acquisition, care, or exhibition to the public of objects owned or used by the institution. What does it mean to exhibit the objects to the general public An institution exhibits objects to the general public if such exhibition is a primary purpose of the institution. An institution that exhibits objects to the general public for at least 120 days a year is deemed to exhibit objects to the general public on a regular basis. An institution which does not have the exhibition of objects as a primary purpose and/or does not exhibit objects to the public for at least 120 days a year may be determined to be eligible as a museum under certain circumstances. For more information, please see 45 CFR 1180.2(d). An organization or association that engages in activities designed to advance the well being of museums and the museum profession An institution of higher education, including public and nonprofit universities or public or private nonprofit agency which is responsible for the operation of a museum that meets the eligibility criteria in (a) above may apply on behalf of the museum.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums opportunity is a small-grants program run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under its broader National Leadership Grants for Museums portfolio. It is designed to help museums try out new, specific ideas in how they operate and how they deliver services to the public. The emphasis is on prototyping and evaluation, meaning applicants are expected to test an innovation in a practical, time-bounded way and gather evidence about what worked, what did not, and what could be improved. A key feature of the program is that outcomes are meant to be useful to the wider museum field, even when a project does not fully succeed; the goal is learning that can inform better practice and strengthen how museums serve their communities.
This FY15 funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: SPARKS MUSEUMS FY15) is a discretionary grant program with an arts and humanities focus (CFDA 45.312, National Leadership Grants). IMLS anticipated making about 6 awards with an estimated total of $143,000 available. Individual grant amounts were relatively modest, with awards ranging from a $10,000 floor to a $25,000 ceiling. Importantly, there was no cost sharing or matching requirement listed, which lowers the barrier for smaller organizations that may not be able to commit additional cash or in-kind match.
Eligibility is centered on organizations that are either units of state or local government or private nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, and that are located in the United States or certain U.S. territories and affiliated jurisdictions. The eligible geography explicitly includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and several freely associated states (the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau). Within that umbrella, applicants must qualify in one of three general ways: as an eligible museum meeting the regulatory and operational definition, as an organization/association that supports the well-being of museums and the museum profession, or as an institution of higher education (or an appropriate public or nonprofit entity) applying on behalf of an eligible museum it operates.
For museum eligibility, IMLS uses a fairly specific definition. A qualifying museum is expected to be permanent, educational or aesthetic in purpose, and to own or use tangible objects (living or nonliving), care for those objects, and exhibit them to the public on a regular basis through facilities it owns or operates. The program makes clear that the term "museum" is broad when the basic requirements are met, and it explicitly includes institutions such as aquariums, arboretums, art museums, botanical gardens, children’s/youth museums, general multi-discipline museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, natural history and anthropology museums, nature centers, planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized single-subject museums, and zoological parks. The eligibility language also clarifies operational thresholds: an institution is considered to be using a professional staff if it employs at least one staff member (or the full-time equivalent), paid or unpaid, whose primary work involves acquiring, caring for, or exhibiting objects to the public. Likewise, regular public exhibition is generally presumed if the institution exhibits objects to the public for at least 120 days per year; organizations that do not meet that standard may still be eligible in certain circumstances, with reference to 45 CFR 1180.2(d) for the governing details.
Timing and administrative details for this archived FY15 cycle show the announcement was posted on September 25, 2014, with an application deadline of December 1, 2014, and an archive date of December 31, 2014. The official administering agency is IMLS, and the public listing included an additional information link on the IMLS website for full program guidance and requirements. For applicants needing help accessing the announcement or navigating the process, the notice provided direct contacts at IMLS: Helen Wechsler, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (hwechsler@imls.gov, 202-653-4779) and Jill Connors Joyner, Museum Program Specialist (jconnorsjoyner@imls.gov, 202-653-4791).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums (IMLS) - FY15
What is the Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums program?
Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums is a small-grants program run by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the National Leadership Grants for Museums portfolio. It supports museums that want to try out new, specific ideas related to museum operations and public services, with a strong emphasis on prototyping and evaluation.
What is the main goal of this grant opportunity?
The core goal is to help museums test an innovation in a practical, time-bounded way and gather evidence about what worked, what did not, and what could be improved. Even if a project does not fully succeed, the learning is intended to benefit the wider museum field and strengthen how museums serve their communities.
What kind of projects does this program emphasize?
This opportunity emphasizes prototyping and evaluation. Applicants are expected to pilot a new idea and document outcomes and lessons learned in a way that can inform better practice across the museum community.
Is this part of a larger IMLS program?
Yes. Sparks Ignition Grants for Museums is offered under IMLS's broader National Leadership Grants for Museums portfolio (CFDA 45.312, National Leadership Grants).
What is the funding opportunity number for this FY15 cycle?
The funding opportunity number listed is SPARKS MUSEUMS FY15.
What type of federal program is this?
This is a discretionary grant program with an arts and humanities focus.
How many awards were expected for FY15?
IMLS anticipated making about 6 awards for this FY15 opportunity.
How much total funding was estimated to be available?
The estimated total funding available for this cycle was $143,000.
What is the minimum and maximum award amount?
Individual awards ranged from a minimum (floor) of $10,000 to a maximum (ceiling) of $25,000.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement was listed for this FY15 opportunity.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on organizations that are either units of state or local government or private nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, and that are located in the United States or certain U.S. territories and affiliated jurisdictions. Applicants must qualify as (1) an eligible museum meeting IMLS's definition, (2) an organization or association that supports the well-being of museums and the museum profession, or (3) an institution of higher education (or an appropriate public or nonprofit entity) applying on behalf of an eligible museum it operates.
What geographic locations are eligible?
The eligible geography includes the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the freely associated states of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.
What is IMLS's definition of a museum for eligibility purposes?
A qualifying museum is expected to be permanent, educational or aesthetic in purpose, and to own or use tangible objects (living or nonliving), care for those objects, and exhibit them to the public on a regular basis through facilities it owns or operates.
What types of institutions can be considered museums under this opportunity?
The program describes "museum" broadly when basic requirements are met, and explicitly includes aquariums, arboretums, art museums, botanical gardens, children's/youth museums, general multi-discipline museums, historic houses and sites, history museums, natural history and anthropology museums, nature centers, planetariums, science and technology centers, specialized single-subject museums, and zoological parks.
What does IMLS mean by having a professional staff?
An institution is considered to be using a professional staff if it employs at least one staff member (or the full-time equivalent), paid or unpaid, whose primary work involves acquiring, caring for, or exhibiting objects to the public.
What counts as "regular public exhibition" for museum eligibility?
Regular public exhibition is generally presumed if the institution exhibits objects to the public for at least 120 days per year.
If a museum is open fewer than 120 days per year, is it automatically ineligible?
Not necessarily. The eligibility language indicates that organizations not meeting the 120-days-per-year standard may still be eligible in certain circumstances, with reference to 45 CFR 1180.2(d) for the governing details.
Can an organization that supports museums apply, even if it is not itself a museum?
Yes. One of the eligible applicant pathways is being an organization or association that supports the well-being of museums and the museum profession.
Can a college or university apply?
Yes. An institution of higher education (or an appropriate public or nonprofit entity) may apply on behalf of an eligible museum it operates.
When was this FY15 opportunity posted?
The announcement was posted on September 25, 2014.
What was the application deadline for the FY15 opportunity?
The application deadline was December 1, 2014.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date was December 31, 2014.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The administering agency is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Where could applicants find full program guidance for this opportunity?
The public listing indicated there was an additional information link on the IMLS website for full program guidance and requirements.
Who were the IMLS contacts listed for applicant questions?
The notice provided two contacts: Helen Wechsler, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist (hwechsler@imls.gov, 202-653-4779) and Jill Connors Joyner, Museum Program Specialist (jconnorsjoyner@imls.gov, 202-653-4791).
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number listed is 45.312 (National Leadership Grants).
Why does the program stress learning even when a project does not fully succeed?
A key feature is that outcomes are meant to be useful to the wider museum field. The intent is to produce evidence and lessons learned that can inform better practice and help museums serve their communities more effectively, even if the tested idea needs revision or does not work as expected.
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Applicants also applied for:
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| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Sparks Ignition Grants for Libraries Apply for SPARKS LIBRARIES FY15 Funding Number: SPARKS LIBRARIES FY15 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants Program Apply for NAG ENHANCEMENT FY15 Funding Number: NAG ENHANCEMENT FY15 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native Hawaiian Library Services Grants Program Apply for NAG HAWAIIAN FY15 Funding Number: NAG HAWAIIAN FY15 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Native American Library Services Basic Grants Program Apply for NAG BASIC FY15 Funding Number: NAG BASIC FY15 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $7,000 |
| National Conservation Assessment Program Apply for NCAP FY15 Funding Number: NCAP FY15 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| National Leadership Grants for Libraries Apply for NLG LIBRARIES FY16 Funding Number: NLG LIBRARIES FY16 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Apply for LB21 FY16 Funding Number: LB21 FY16 Agency: Institute of Museum and Library Services Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Building U.S. India Connections through Dance Apply for SCAIN 12 GR 001 SCA 062612 Funding Number: SCAIN 12 GR 001 SCA 062612 Agency: U.S. Mission to India Category: Arts (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Humanities (see Cultural Affairs in CFDA) Funding Amount: $75,000 |
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