Registration deadline: March 3
Application deadlines: May 1, July 1, September 5

Support for preservation is available to institutions whose activities involve the systematic cataloguing, archiving, and preservation of film and electronic media art to ensure access to our media arts heritage.

This Program encourages the use of consultants through technical assistance for preservation planning before applying to this category. New applicants and organizations are encouraged to consult with Program staff on technical assistance opportunities and other resources to ensure effective action in undertaking this work. New applicants should have, at least, a preliminary inventory of their collection prior to application.

Applicants requesting support for re-mastering of tapes or other lab work are expected to work in concert with other collecting organizations to avoid duplication of effort. There should be plans to ensure that works that are preserved are made available to the public. Collaborative projects or commercial/nonprofit partnerships that make storage and lab facilities available or provide access to preserved work are encouraged.

Priority is given to projects that focus on the preservation of work of independent artists.

Eligibility Criteria

Employment of recognized archival standards (cataloguing)

Demonstrated plans and policies for public access to preserved materials

Appropriate archival storage facilities or a deposit agreement with an archive

Application Instructions

The on-line application form includes the following questions, and a project budget. Required support materials are listed below.

Application Narrative Questions

1. Project History
Briefly describe the history and scope of this project, detailing the materials as well as the current status of the collection. What is the overall objective of this project? What research has gone into the planning and development of this project?

2. Project Context
Summarize the collections policy. How do the collection materials relate to the mission, programs, and other collections within the organization?

3. Work Plan
Summarize your work plan for the proposed project, briefly describing your assessment, cataloging, or preservation procedures. If this is a proposal for lab work, which formats will be used and why? What steps were taken to find the best materials for re-mastering and to avoid duplication of efforts?

4. Project Personnel
Please describe the background and qualifications of key personnel involved in this project.

5. Storage and Maintenance
Where and how are collection materials stored? Summarize the procedure for maintaining items in storage. If the applicant is not permanently maintaining the materials, describe the deposit arrangements.

6. Finances
Describe plans, projects, and activities for meeting current and future expenses of this service. Briefly summarize financial plans for continued care of the collection, if applicable.

7. Access
Briefly describe the procedure by which the public will have access to this material and what access restrictions exist, if any? Note whether there are any partnerships or special projects to bring preserved titles to the public. Note any other ways this project will have a public dimension.

Support Materials

Support material must be postmarked or hand-delivered to the program by the application deadline. If you want support materials returned, provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.

1. Representative organizational or program brochure (2 copies)

2. Sample collection catalog entry, for cataloguing projects

3. (Optional) Preliminary report for collection plan