Gov. George H. Ryan this month announced $36 million in capital grants to 56 public museums to help improve facilities and develop new exhibits. “The improvements in museum facilities afforded by this grant program will have a dramatic impact on the educational experiences of visitors of all ages,” Governor Ryan said. “Our museums are jewels which must be carefully cared for and their infrastructure needs—just as those for roads and bridges—must be met.”
During Governor Ryan’s administration the Public Museum Capital Grants Program has awarded over $66 million to eligible museums. The Public Museum Capital Grants Program is designed to assist museums in expanding and upgrading facilities, as well as creating new exhibits to strengthen the public museums’ abilities to meet their missions.
This year, museums throughout the state submitted project proposals requesting over $120 million in grant funds. Projects include: development and construction of a new museum building; expansion of current facilities; new exhibitions featuring state-of-the-art technology; critical renovation of historic structures; and installation of climate control systems vital to care of collections. A list of Chicago’s grant recipients, funding amounts, and project descriptions follow.
Adler Planetarium will receive $1,055,000 for the “Revolution in the Sky” Exhibit. This project involves the design and fabrication of the exhibit.
The Art Institute of Chicago will gain $2,900,000 for its Capital Expansion Project. The project includes the design/development phase and construction documents for the museum’s new addition.
The Chicago Botanic Garden in nearby Glencoe will get $2,900,000 for Capital Improvements: Providing a Quality Visitor Experience. This project involves the construction of a one-mile long series of earthen berms, garden wall, and associated landscaping to mitigate traffic noise from nearby highways.
The Chicago Children’s Museum gets $750,000 for Museum Renovation - Phase I. The project involves major renovation and construction of exhibits and public spaces.
The Chicago Historical Society is slated for $700,000 for its Chicago History Exhibition. This project is a new permanent exhibition on Chicago history.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has been promised $425,000 for Restoration and Space Modifications in the Symphony Center. The project includes exterior building repairs to the facade of Orchestra Hall, first floor renovations, and addition of a main door.
The DuSable Museum of African American History will receive $150,000 for Exhibit Upgrades. The project includes revising and upgrading several current permanent exhibitions.
Also, the Field Museum of Natural History will receive $3,500,000 for Collections Resource Center - Phase I. This project includes the first phase of design and construction of a Collections Resource Center.
Garfield Park Conservatory will get $500,000 for Palm House Roof Restoration. This project includes designing and building the new roof and its corresponding system.
The Lincoln Park Zoo will have $2,900,000 for Regenstein Center for African Apes. This project includes design and construction elements of a new exhibition area for African apes.
The Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum has been promised $525,000 for Facility Improvements. This project includes facility and exhibit renovations.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is slated for $520,000 for the Museum Satellite Facility. This renovation project includes infrastructure improvements to the museum’s recently acquired satellite facility at 1747 W. Hubbard St.
The Museum of Science and Industry will get $3,500,000 for Restoration and Relocation of U-505 Submarine. The project involves the design and construction of a new underground, temperature controlled enclosure to house the submarine.
The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is getting $600,000 for “The Greening of the Nature Museum: Inside and Out.” This project includes the development and installation of a new permanent exhibit on Midwestern wetlands.
The Shedd Aquarium will receive $2,655,200 for Capital Improvements for the new South Wing Opening. This project includes infrastructure repairs and site work to prepare for the installation of the new exhibit on the coral reefs of the Philippines.
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass will get $100,000 for Museum Expansion. This phase of the project includes the installation of a Tiffany gallery and several new windows.
To be eligible to apply for the grants, museums must be operated by or located on land owned by a unit of local government; have been certified as a public museum in accordance with the Administrative Rules, Section 3200.35; have at least one paid professional staff person; have been open for at least two years; and meet all other eligibility requirements as set forth in the Administrative Rules.
The Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Grant Administration and the Illinois State Museum administer the Capital Grant Program. For more information, contact the Illinois State Museum Grants Program Office at (217) 782-5992. |
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