The motown historical museum will build capacity in the digital imaging and preservation of the museum's physical artifacts and archival collections

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded the Motown Historical Museum a Project Grant of $464,626 under the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture program (CFDA 45.309) on October 1, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027. The award supports the museum's capacity-building initiative to digitize and preserve its physical artifacts and archival collections through the establishment of a digitization laboratory. The project includes staffing positions, internship opportunities, and acquisition of specialized digital imaging equipment such as an oversize digitization table, automated photo columns, camera systems with interchangeable lenses, LED lighting, and film scanning capabilities.

The primary deliverable is the Digital Jukebox platform, developed in three integrated phases: a collection management system, a collections website, and interactive exhibition applications. These products will enhance the museum's collections stewardship and create sustainable digital preservation strategies while expanding public access to Motown's historical legacy. The project emphasizes both institutional capacity building and workforce development through professional staffing and internship positions dedicated to the digitization and preservation activities.

The project will support the implementation of a digitization lab, including staffing, internships, and equipment. The project will result in the implementation of the digital jukebox, which is developed in three phases: collection management system, collections website, and interactive exhibition applications. The museum will acquire a new digital imaging system that includes an oversize digitization table measuring, automated photo columns, camera body with interchangeable lenses, led lighting kit, film scanning kit, light box, accessories, installation, and technical support. The project's overall intended results are to enhance collections stewardship and access to motown's rich history through digitization activities and sustainable digital preservation strategies.