Museum Announces Grant Award

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal grant-making agency which supports our nation’s Libraries and Museums has awarded the Friends of the Middle Border, Inc., which owns and operates the Dakota Discovery Museum, a Conservation Project Support Grant. The grant, in the amount of $87,568, will be used to improve the current storage of its two-dimensional works of art with the installation of a hanging art storage system and shelf storage. During the storage upgrade new hanging hardware and security hardware will be installed on the works of art, and backing boards will be installed where necessary. This storage upgrade will provide a secure environment and allow staff to more safely and effectively access works of art for research, educational and exhibition programming.

The Dakota Discovery Museum collection holds over 200 original works of two-dimensional art including works by Native American artists Oscar Howe, Robert Penn, Arthur Amiotte and Donald Montileaux. The collection also represents works by Charles Hargens, Jr., Harvey Dunn, Charles Greener, Gutzon Borglum and Ada Caldwell among many others. These works are rotated in the museum’s three permanent galleries, used in special exhibits and made available for study by artists, researchers and scholars.

The need for better and safer storage for art was identified as a priority in 2005 by the board of directors after an assessment of the Museum’s collections by the Midwest Art Conservation Center of Minneapolis. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months and will be advised by conservators from the Midwest Art Conservation Center who will also train staff and volunteers involved in the project.

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hargens III, son of artist Charles Hargens, Jr. have also provided support for the project in the form of matching funding. The Hargens family support, along with the time of museum staff, interns and volunteers will account for over $45,000 of required match for the grant.

Conservation Project Support grants from the IMLS help museums develop a logical, institution-wide approach to caring for their collections in one of four categories: nonliving, natural history, living plants, or living animals. The grant assists with four types of conservation activities: general surveys of condition or environment, training, conservation treatment, and environmental improvements.

The Dakota Discovery Museum’s permanent collection includes not only contemporary regional art, but thousands of objects, books, documents and photographs pertaining to the history, settlement and culture of the Middle Border region from pre-history through the Great Depression. The Museum uses its collection to provide educational, aesthetic, intellectual and cultural experiences for the region and beyond. The Museum offers changing exhibitions, classes, lectures, family activities and events.

The Dakota Discovery Museum is located at 1300 McGovern Ave. in Mitchell, SD on the campus of Dakota Wesleyan University. Current regular hours are Monday–Friday,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is charged.