In the digital age, the preservation and accessibility of cultural heritage materials are paramount. Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAMs) are crucial in safeguarding our collective history and knowledge. However, digitizing their vast collections requires significant resources, making funding a critical aspect of digitization projects. In this guide, I’ll explore various sources of financial support available for GLAM digitization initiatives.
Government Grants and Programs
Protecting and converting our history into digital forms is essential. It helps keep our shared past safe for those who come after us. To help with this, government agencies of all sizes, from small towns to Federal agencies, have funding to support these efforts. These resources are significant for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums that work to ensure everyone can access these cultural treasures.
For example, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) in the U.S. is well-known for helping with projects that put historical and cultural content online. The NEH understands that digitization protects and creates greater access. They fund organizations to digitize their collections online through the Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program, giving access to these essential pieces of culture and knowledge. They also support new and creative ways to digitize, like using virtual reality or taking detailed pictures that show parts of artifacts that are usually hidden. Using cutting-edge technology improves how we save and display our cultural history.
In the United States, not only does the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) give financial help to libraries and museums, but other government agencies do, too. For instance:
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) supports the care of collections and ensures access.
- The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) supports reviewing special historical records collections.
To support library activities and projects that focus on local history, you can look for funds at the state level:
- State library associations or humanities councils may have special grants that fit community needs, especially for local history projects.
- City or county governments may support by giving money or tax breaks to protect historical sites and records.
Private Foundations
Numerous private institutions actively fund digital access to collections housed within galleries, libraries, archives, and museums. The significant contributions from private foundations in this arena cannot be overstressed.
A prominent example is the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, which provides and strategically targets grants to support various projects. The purposes of these projects range from promoting the longevity and preservation of cultural heritage to increasing public access through digital means. These grants are critical for initiatives that include but are not limited to digitizing art, historical documents, and various other cultural artifacts [2].
In parallel, the Getty Foundation is another vital contributor in this field. The foundation’s purview extends to fostering a comprehensive understanding and conservation of the world’s artistic and cultural heritage. Among its major endeavors is the support of GLAM institutions through significant funding for digitization projects. The Getty Foundation aids in safeguarding cultural heritage and ensuring that digital archives are accessible. They recognize that digitization efforts by GLAM institutions are essential for cultural preservation in the digital age, offering a means to share precious artifacts with a global audience [3].
In addition, other private entities and philanthropic organizations worldwide continue to acknowledge the critical importance of digitization, contributing resources that enable GLAM institutions to pursue technological advancements, curate comprehensive digital collections, and effectively share the richness of humanity’s cultural legacy with all.
Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations are pivotal in the progression and execution of digitization projects for libraries, archives, and museums. Groups like the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) serve as critical resources, providing much-needed grants and support. This assistance is integral for these cultural institutions to advance their digitization efforts.
CLIR’s aid, from financial grants to scholarly resources, enables the preservation of valuable collections and promotes the dissemination of knowledge. Their role extends to fostering a community of practice where experts in information science, librarianship, and technology can collaborate to solve the pressing challenges of preservation and access [4].
Similarly, the DPLA extends its reach by connecting diverse American cultural and scientific institutions with a platform to digitize and share their collections. This collaboration offers a national-scale impact, allowing anyone with internet access to explore America’s rich heritage. The digital offerings curated by the DPLA aid in educational and research pursuits and enhance the public’s interaction with history, art, and science, thereby democratizing access to information [5].
These organizations contribute significantly to the GLAM sector. They embody the spirit of collaboration essential to the GLAM community, encouraging partnerships across organizations and borders. As stewards of cultural heritage, CLIR and the DPLA are pivotal in ensuring that irreplaceable collections and their knowledge are preserved and made accessible to future generations, fostering an informed and connected society.
Corporate Sponsorship and Partnerships
GLAM institutions must pursue diverse strategies to obtain the necessary resources and support, particularly for digitization initiatives that guarantee the preservation and accessibility of collections for future generations. Museums, galleries, libraries, and archives should seek the support of businesses that recognize the significance of cultural heritage and are willing to contribute to its sustainability.
Partnering with corporate entities may also come with perks, such as branding opportunities at events, exhibitions, and digital spaces where digitized collections become accessible to a global audience. These partnerships could also include the sponsors’ features in promotional materials, providing recognition that can incentivize corporations to contribute generously.
In addition to getting support from big companies, places like museums, galleries, and libraries can benefit by working with tech companies and schools or research groups. These partnerships could give them access to the latest digital technology to scan and preserve old items. Tech companies could offer programs and equipment or create special tools to help with these projects. Working with universities can provide additional knowledge from research to students eager to learn and help.
These partnerships may offer immediate benefits and pave the way for future grants and funding from other sources. When an institution shows a track record of successful collaborations and project completions, it strengthens its case for support from government agencies, non-profits, and international governing bodies dedicated to cultural heritage preservation.
These strategies provide the necessary funding and resources for GLAM digitization projects and ensure that cultural heritage is preserved and shared with future generations in the digital realm. By building a network of supportive partnerships, GLAM institutions become more resilient, adaptable, and able to navigate the challenges of an increasingly digital world.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms have emerged as a vital resource for Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM institutions), empowering them to secure funding for digitization projects directly from the general public. Renowned platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe offer a dynamic space for GLAMs to connect with their communities and secure the financial support necessary for digitizing and thus preserving culturally significant materials.
By leveraging these platforms, GLAM institutions can create comprehensive campaigns detailing the significance of their digitization projects. This raises the necessary funds and increases public awareness of the importance of cultural preservation. Funders enjoy a sense of participation and personal investment in the success of projects they contribute to, leading to a stronger relationship between GLAMs and their audiences.
Moreover, crowdfunding campaigns have a dual benefit. On the one hand, they can provide the capital needed to digitize artifacts, documents, and artworks, safeguarding them for future generations. On the other hand, they also serve as a powerful marketing tool, expanding the institution’s reach and engaging a global audience interested in cultural heritage.
Digitization projects funded through such means often increase accessibility to GLAM’s resources. This aligns with the global movement towards open access to information, as digitized materials can be available online for educators, researchers, and the public.
The collaborative nature of crowdfunding reflects a shift in how cultural institutions approach funding and public engagement, fostering a community-oriented approach to preserving our collective history. Institutions also have the opportunity to follow up with their donors, maintain an ongoing conversation through updates, and share the progress of digitization initiatives, thereby strengthening community ties and ensuring sustained interest and support.
Conclusion
Today, digitizing valuable collections from art galleries, libraries, archives, and museums is crucial. This helps keep our shared history safe and allows everyone worldwide to learn more about it. However, we need money to ensure we can make digital copies of these essential cultural items. When GLAMs use all these different ways of raising money, they can ensure that crucial pieces of our culture and history are saved in digital form for everyone to enjoy. It takes careful planning and collaboration to raise the money needed, but keeping our cultural treasures safe for the future is worth it.
[1] National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grants: https://www.neh.gov/divisions/odh
[2] Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Grants Database: https://www.mellon.org/grant-programs
[3] Getty Foundation Initiatives: https://www.getty.edu/projects/
[4] Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) Fellowships: https://www.clir.org/fellowships/
[5] Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) Information: https://dp.la/
