Press

Posted By: Emmy Laursen Community Board,

TAM SECURES SIGNIFICANT FUNDING THROUGH HOUSTON ENDOWMENT TO EXPAND ITS IMPORTANT SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE, FINDING ALTERNATIVE FUTURES

Texas Association of Museums (TAM) will begin work in Fall 2020 on an expanded continuation of the successful initiative Finding Alternative Futures: Sustainability through Coaching. Exploring ways to help museums build capacity by leveraging technology, this two-year project is made possible by a grant from the Houston Endowment in the amount of $400,000.

Finding Alternative Futures, Phase 2 (FAF2) will retain the goals of assisting participating museums in understanding their options for sustainability, elevating proficiency, and preparing for pivotal change. In addition, FAF2 will address digital readiness and technologies that can help move the museum community forward in the current environment.

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The Summerlee Foundation Grants $40,000 in Relief Funds to TAM

Austin, Texas: Texas Association of Museums (TAM) applied for Relief Funds immediately following the decision to go fully virtual for the Annual Conference due to Covid-19 shelter-in-place orders back in March. The impact and loss of funds due to the pandemic led Executive Director, Alex Freeman, to apply for funds available through the emergency relief funds from The Summerlee Foundation. In June, The Summerlee Foundation awarded TAM $40,000. It is due to grants such as this one that TAM will continue to support membership and the Texas museum community amid pandemic closures.

TAM’s operations during the pandemic have included a first-time virtual conference, distributing resources and data to membership and overall serving as source of support for Texas museums.

Humanities Texas Grants $7,500 in Relief Funds to TAM

Austin, Texas: Texas Association of Museums (TAM) applied for Relief Funds immediately following the decision to go fully virtual for the Annual Conference due to Covid-19 shelter-in-place orders back in March. The impact and loss of funds due to the pandemic led Executive Director, Alex Freeman, to apply for funds available through the Relief Grant form Humanities Texas. In June, Humanities Texas awarded TAM $7,500. It is due to grants such as these from Humanities Texas that organizations such as TAM will maintain operations amid pandemic closures and restrictions.

It seems that though the times are trying, the circumstances of the pandemic is bringing collaborators closer together. “We and our partners at the National Endowment for the Humanities hope that these funds help support your operations during these challenging times. Thank you for all you do to advance understanding of the humanities in Texas.”