Louisiana Children’s Museum awarded $148,000 in federal funding

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Louisiana Children's Museum awarded $148,000 in federal funding

Competitive Museums for America grant to fund literacy initiatives

New Orleans, La. (July 24, 2012) - The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced Thursday that the Louisiana Children's Museum was a recipient of the highly competitive Museums for America grant program. The Museum was selected out of 470 applicants nation-wide to receive support for activities that strengthen museums as active resources for lifelong learning, as important institutions in the establishment of livable communities, and as good stewards of the nation's collections.

"We are honored to be selected as a recipient of this prestigious grant," said CEO Julia Bland. "This support will help us address an enormous need in our community using a family-centered approach to early learning and early literacy in the Museum's new Talk and Play Center. Literacy is one of our strategic initiatives, and this award of $148,000 will allow us to advance our work in this field."

Louisiana ranks 49^th in child well-being indicators and 50^th in 4^th grade reading scores, with 82% of 4^th graders scoring below proficient reading levels, according to KIDS COUNT, a data study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

"Congratulations to the Museums for America grantees. We are pleased to support museums through investments in high-priority, high value activities that benefit communities throughout the US," said Susan Hildreth, IMLS Director. "These museums, small and large, will help to educate and inspire the public for years to come."

The two-year Museums for America grant was awarded to the Louisiana Children's Museum in the Engaging Community category, signaling IMLS' endorsement of the Museum's work to address community challenges and improve the quality of life of community members by connecting them to critical resources. The museum served as the lead applicant for the city of New Orleans in the campaign for Grade Level Reading. School Readiness, Summer Learning Loss and School Attendance are the three areas of focus for the campaign, and the Museum's award of the IMLS grant will address the enormous needs around School-Readiness, while specifically working through local Head Start centers.

About the Louisiana Children's Museum
Since 1986, the Louisiana Children's Museum has engaged children and families in memorable, interactive experiences that make growing and learning fun. It also goes beyond its walls to deliver creative, educational resources that impact the greater New Orleans community. The Museum is located at 420 Julia Street in New Orleans' warehouse district. General admission is $8.00 for adults and children one year of age and older. Museum members are admitted free. To learn more about LCM, please visit http://www.lcm.org

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 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, we help communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning. To learn more about IMLS, please visit http://www.imls.gov.

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