Art restoration and conservation is an area of concern where grants have previously been known to lack funding. Luckily, many grant funds have noticed the need for more money to be given to organizations to be used for the restoration of sculptures, buildings and objects. Without this money, many of these items would be lost or sustain deterioration. When applying for restoration grants the organization must follow the grant directions closely and be as specific as possible, including pictures and documentation, as to the purpose for the money.
National Endowment for the Arts
The Save America’s Treasures program is a national grant that is charged with the restoration and preservation of nationally significant artifacts, historic structures and sites. To be considered for this grant, the restoration project must include one of the following; collections, documents, sculpture and art, historic districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects.
An example of previously awarded grants is the Rosa Parks bus.
In order to qualify, the work must be considered a nationally significant object or site. All forms must be filled out in full including the SAT guidelines and instructions, SAT cover sheet, SAT budget form, SAT project narrrative and SAT project images form.
American Art Program Conservation Initiative
The American Art Program Conservation Initiative was founded in 2007. Its goal was to provide grants for the upkeep of American art in permanent collections in museums.
In the past, the sponsoring Luce Fund had not provided funds for the conservation or restoration of museum objects. However, following a survey of museum needs, the fund developed a program that would support the maintenance of these objects.
Each year $1,250,000 is distributed within two categories: projects that only require up to $30,000, and projects that require more than $30,000.
International Music and Art Foundation
The International Music and Art Foundation’s mission is to distribute funds to worthy arts organizations around the world. The foundation was founded to preserve international works of art so that future generations may study and grow from the past.
The fund restores and conserves individual works, architecture and cultural and environment documents. The International Music and Art Foundation specializes in funding the conservation and restoration of the fine arts, including painting, drawing and sculpture; music, theater and architecture.
The types of organizations that are eligible to receive these grants include museums, opera companies, symphony orchestras, chamber music ensembles and ballet and theater companies. In order to apply for a grant,the organization must submit a proposal including the organization’s budget, donor contributions, audited financial statements, board of directors, proof of tax-exempt status and mission statement.
