Museum Funding in Texas

The Alamo is the kind of historical attractive that the state sometimes underfunds.

When economic times are tough, museum funding becomes difficult, particularly for smaller museums--though, like libraries, attendance often rises as people look for low-cost enrichment and entertainment. Museums in Texas are no exception, though there are still some avenues of funding that can be explored.

Public Funding

The state government of Texas is notable for its comparative neglect of cultural institutions. Museums often derive their funding through private grants or cultivating relationships with key individual, family or corporate donors.

Texas Historical Commission

The Texas Historical Commission offers small yearly grants to historical museums in need of funding for specific projects. Certain criteria of size, hours, and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act need to be met.

Federal Funding

Texas libraries and museums have also been successful in obtaining federal grants from organizations like the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities could also be sources for funding. Some cities have also sought economic stimulus money for cultural institutions and activities.

References

• Texas Historical Commission: History Museum Grants
• Texas Digital Library: IMLS Grant
• USA Today: Museum's Funding Sources Going Bone Dry
• Smithsonian: Federal Funding Sources