The new bedford whaling museum will develop and implement a training program to increase cultural competency of museum volunteers and improve their ability to welcome and engage all visitors

The New Bedford Whaling Museum received a $378,628 Project Grant award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) program. The grant will support the development and implementation of a training program to increase the cultural competency of the museum's volunteers and enhance their ability to deliver inclusive and equitable services to diverse visitors. Key activities include assessing current volunteer policies, establishing a resource library, diversifying volunteer recruitment, and creating a sustainable training model with evaluation and professional growth components. The project aims to generate a comprehensive training program that will expand the museum's corps of volunteers with enhanced knowledge and skills to serve people from diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as individuals with disabilities. The project period runs from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026.

Project activities will include an assessment of current volunteer policies and procedures, establishing a resource library, diversifying volunteer recruitment, and creating a sustainable training model that includes evaluation and professional growth. The project will generate a comprehensive training program that will support an expanded corps of volunteers with enhanced knowledge and skills, who can deliver inclusive and equitable services to people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds and to individuals with disabilities.