City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services to support the digitization of the Moss Kendrix Collection at the Alexandria Black History Museum
BODY
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ISSUE: Consideration of a grant application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a $237,355 grant to fund two limited-term curator positions for two years to process and digitize a nationally significant African American collection.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council authorize the City Manager to:
1) Approve the application to the Institute of Museum and Library Services for a $237,355 grant;
2) Approve the acceptance of funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for $237,355, if the grant is awarded; and
3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The Office of Historic Alexandria (OHA), is seeking $237,355 over two years from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to fund two limited-term curator positions to process the extensive Moss Kendrix collection. Curators will catalog and digitize the collection to make the materials available to the public via an online database and online exhibitions. This work is critical to the long-term preservation and public accessibility of the collection. In addition, this nationally significant collection has revenue generating potential for the Museum, both during the pandemic and in the future.
DISCUSSION: Much of the Alexandria Black History Museum's collection is deeply rooted in the history of the City of Alexandria, but some have a national and even international significance - such as the Moss Kendrix Collection. Known as the father of Black public relations, Moss Kendrix f...
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