When looking for ways to protect museum artwork, paying for the solutions can be challenging in light of other operational and capital priorities.
Fortunately, grants for small and large museums are a viable option when you need to gain support for ways to care for paintings, sculptures, and diverse artifacts that visitors come to see. The grants are competitive, but you can make a strong case about why the grants are essential for your facility.
Explore our growing collection of Grants, Resources, and Tips.
For example, the steps you take to look after art could fit under a collection management grant. You can reach out to funding sources that help pay for how your museum ensures visitor inclusion and equity. Sometimes grants are particular, such as one about contact tracing.
Art Sentry is a museum security solution that fits well with these examples and in the scope of many other grant types.
Museums invest in Art Sentry because they understand the value the technology brings to each gallery. Art Sentry is a camera-based, motion-detection zone that can be customized. It creates an invisible protection area around each precious piece of art.
Museum grants are used to cover cameras, supporting servers, and infrastructure, typically behind the scenes. At a glance, grants may seem most suited for more visible activities and installations like educational initiatives and new exhibits. You can easily tie them to the impact on guests of all ages and show what the grant money made possible.
Security may not enjoy the fanfare associated with a new exhibit or the permanent collection, but any form of surveillance is a significant focus of any museum.
If you're exploring grants for museums, you will want to keep art preservation in mind. Protecting artwork for future generations could be a key theme you reinforce in any grant application. Art Sentry can provide guidance when you begin to complete a grant request.
Museums have processes to rotate pieces and take great care of them at every moment -- everything from UV light and indoor climate controls to stanchions and security guards. Art Sentry's system serves as a deterrent. If they get too close, an automated voice gently asks guests to step back.
Pursue state, federal, and foundation grants that support the arts. Look for areas they cover, like preservation, conservation, restoration, and collection care. If objects aren’t damaged or destroyed, you can stretch or save conservation dollars for artwork that ordinarily ages and requires repairs (frames, glazing, and more).
If you're seeking a grant, you may also want to note your commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion (DEAI). The installation of the Art Sentry system creates an unbiased, inclusive environment for visitors. It’s so effective that visitor experiences and positive comments improve over time.
You don’t need to worry if you’re already asking for grant money for other purposes; art protection won’t typically compete for the same grant sources. Grants are awarded for specific interests. If you get a grant for art protection, you won’t need to miss out on support for other priorities in your museum.
See our growing collection of Grants, Resources, and Tips. You’ll access potential grant sources and gain new insights.
Let’s talk about the best ways to protect your artwork. Contact us or schedule a demo today.