INDIANAPOLIS—The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is honored to have been awarded a Museums for America grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS). The museum will receive $150,000 –the maximum award amount. The institution is one of three museums in Indiana and 178 institutions nationwide to receive the award. This is the Eiteljorg Museum’s third major grant from IMLS in just 10 years. These new funds will support Project New Moon, a major initiative to develop the museum into an active, sensory and engaging experience.

 “In late 2009, the Eiteljorg Museum launched this effort to execute our mission and pursue new audiences in a bolder and fresher way,” says John Vanausdall, president and CEO. “We are thankful for the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences’ belief in our new direction and their ongoing support.”

Project New Moon represents a new phase in the museum’s development featuring more active, sensory and engaging experiences for guests. The Museums for America grant supports a key component of Project New Moon: the creation of a dramatic, multimedia orientation experience that introduces guests to the Eiteljorg Museum and the gripping stories of the West and Native America. Themes established through orientation will be reinforced through high-tech interactive stations in the museum’s galleries.

IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. IMLS awarded a total of $19,550,456 in Museums for America grants. Museums were selected from 510 applicants, representing 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Grants support high-priority activities that advance the missions and strategic goals of these museums, helping them to serve the public more effectively.

The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art seeks to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the art, history and cultures of the American West and the indigenous peoples of North America. The museum, which opened in 1989, is located in Downtown Indianapolis’ White River State Park. For general information about the museum and to learn more about exhibits and events, call (317) 636-WEST (9378) or visit www.eiteljorg.org.

(July 21, 2010)