Dubuque Museum Receives a $20K Grant
Running any business is tough, especially in our current climate. So any time I can report that a local business gets a sizable grant, I'm more than happy to do so.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium just announced that it has been awarded $20,000 in operational support as part of the Cultural Leadership Partners (CLP) from the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs.
The CLP program is a competitive process that occurs once every three years. The River Museum was designated a CLP in 2021, and upon successful annual performance reviews, will continue through 2024. This type of grant is something that shouldn't be taken for granted. 286 organizations applied for the awards, and only 58 received funding to support operating and programmatic costs throughout the three-year cycle.
With an educational focus on history, STEM, and conservation, the River Museum is a leading informal learning institution in the region serving 200,000 annual visitors from all 50 states and 70 countries. It provides educational outreach to nearly 75,000 nationwide. The River Museum has contributed to the vibrancy of the Port of Dubuque, serves as a key informal learning partner to regional schools, is a critical conservation network partner, and employs 152 persons of all ages and from diverse backgrounds.
Kurt Strand, president and CEO said:
“Our organization is so appreciative and honored that we will be able to continue as one of the Cultural Leadership Partners,” . “We take great pride in being able to serve our community and state to the best of our abilities, and we are thankful for being selected.”
All Cultural Leadership Partners demonstrate an exemplary record of programming, managerial excellence, and community service on a year-round basis to the citizens of Iowa; sound fiscal and managerial practices, and deliberate community outreach and involvement. Funding for the program is made possible by an annual appropriation from the Iowa Legislature to the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs and by the National Endowment for the Humanities, a federal agency.
About the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium inspires stewardship by creating educational experiences where history and rivers come alive. A Smithsonian Affiliate and an accredited member of both the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the River Museum’s collections contain more than 41,000 historical items and over 2,000 animals of more than 250 species representative of the Mississippi River, its watershed, the rivers of America, and beyond. Learn more at www.rivermuseum.com.