FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Museum Receives Stimulus Funding
Valdez, Alaska, May 11, 2020 –The Valdez Museum & Historical Archive (VMHA) has been given a grant award during the first round of funding from the federal government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus package. Patricia Relay, VMHA Executive Director, shared the good news on Friday, May 8, 2020 during the Live at 5 – Weekly Museum Chat via Facebook live:
“Today we received word from the Alaska Humanities Forum that the Valdez Museum was one of 51 museums around the state to be awarded national CARES funding. It was filtered down through the state’s humanities council, and we are very grateful for their support.”
A total of $300,000 was available from the federal stimulus package in support of museums and cultural centers nationwide to offset negative effects from closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Forum’s website says it will manage and distribute the money designated by the federal government to Alaska for help with operational expenses.
Put simply, Relay said:
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“It will help us keep people employed and keep the lights on.”
The Museum has been shuttered since March 13, 2020, resulting in a loss of admission fees, cancelled workshops, educational programs, camps and facility rentals. That, coupled with reduction of Cruise Ship excursion contracts and loss of summer tourism, means earned revenues will likely continue on a downward trend according to Relay. On behalf of the Valdez Museum Staff and Board, she offers thanks to the Alaska Humanities Forum for the $6,250 grant award.
For more information:
Contact:
Patricia Relay, Executive Director
Tel. 907-835-2764, Email: prelay@valdezmuseum.org
