The withers collection museum and gallery will enhance stewardship of its collection by archivally storing and digitizing photographs from its collection taken by photojournalist earnest c. Withers…

The Withers Collection, Inc., a non-profit organization, received a $100,000 federal Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) program (CFDA 45.309). The grant will fund the enhancement of the museum's stewardship of its collection by archivally storing and digitizing approximately 4,000 photographs from its collection that document civil rights history and African American life and culture. Specifically, the museum will purchase collections storage, update physical and digital archives, and work with a contractor to digitize the images and upload them to an online, public platform. This project will make the photographs more accessible for internal use, public programming, exhibitions, and research. The award period is from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The withers collection museum and gallery will enhance stewardship of its collection by archivally storing and digitizing photographs from its collection taken by photojournalist earnest c. Withers that document civil rights history as well as african american life and culture. For the project, museum staff will purchase collections storage and update physical and digital archives. Staff will work with a contractor to digitize approximately 4,000 images and upload them to an online, public platform. As a result of the project, museum staff will make the photographs more accessible for both internal use as well as use for public programming, exhibitions, and research.