The cleveland museum of natural history will undertake a project to support the second phase of a multi-year initiative to improve the conservation and accessibility of its rare books and fine arts…

The Cleveland Museum of Natural History received a $322,924 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301), awarded October 1, 2025, with completion scheduled for September 30, 2027. This award funds the second phase of a multi-year collections stewardship initiative focused on the inventory, cataloging, and rehousing of the museum's rare books and fine arts collections, which encompass over 7,000 objects including paintings, sculptures, prints, textiles, photographs, and historic rare books spanning the 15th through late 20th centuries.

Upon completion, this collections management project will enhance the long-term conservation and preservation of these materials while establishing infrastructure to increase public accessibility to the collections. The initiative directly supports the Museums for America program's core objectives of collections stewardship and lifelong learning by documenting natural diversity over time and illustrating the connections between nature, art, and human culture. The project deliverables include comprehensive cataloging records, proper housing systems, and enhanced discoverability of materials that collectively advance the museum's capacity to serve the public through improved access to its cultural and scientific heritage.

The cleveland museum of natural history will undertake a project to support the second phase of a multi-year initiative to improve the conservation and accessibility of its rare books and fine arts collections, which includes over 7,000 objects including paintings, sculptures, prints, textiles, and photographs spanning the 15TH through the late 20TH century, as well as rare books valued for their historic and aesthetic value. The grant will allow the museum to inventory, catalog, and rehouse these materials, aiding in their long-term conservation. Once complete, this project will contribute to the ultimate goal of increasing public access to these valuable collections, which document natural diversity over time and illustrate the intrinsic connections between nature, art, and human culture.