Governor Ryan Announces $4.8 Million in Museum Operating Grants

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today awarded $4.8 million in grants to 85 museums to enhance their education programs and expand educational opportunities for students, tourists and other visitors.

"The Museum Operating Grant Program allows museums to offer new educational programs, enhance established museum programs and utilize their resources more effectively," Ryan said. "The funds help museums to work with schools throughout the state in enriching existing curricula and promoting educational opportunities for students."

Museums will use grant funds for educational programming including developing internet web sites that will offer materials students can review before a museum visit and follow-up projects for them to do in the classroom; replicating museum artifacts to supplement workshops, tours, and exhibitions; offering free community outreach programs; creating supplementary curriculum materials for school children; and, developing internship programs.

The operating grants are determined by a formula based on an applicant's average operating expenditures. Museums in Illinois which are operated by or are located on land owned by a unit of local government, or which have an annual attendance of at least 150,000, are eligible for funding. A qualifying museum must also have at least one paid professional staff person and must offer established educational programs to school groups during school hours.

The program is administered by the Department of Natural Resources. For more information, contact the Illinois State Museum Grants Program office at 217/782-5992, or visit the Illinois State Museum website at http://museum.state.il.us/programs/musgrants/mgrants.html.

A list of grant recipients, funding amounts and project descriptions is attached.

Adler Planetarium - Chicago - $121,796
Astronomy Connections & Park Voyagers Education Program - Funds will support links to schools throughout the state for studies of gravity and black holes, as well as support the Chicago Park Voyagers program. (Contact person: Margaret Marek, 312/322-0599).

Anita Purves Nature Center - Urbana - $9,640
Enhance Educational Programming - Development of new programs, exhibits, and curriculum and expansion of existing services to educators and the general public. (Contact person: Robin Hall, 217/367-1536).

Arlington Heights Historical Museum - Arlington Heights - $9,640
ADA Videos for Muller and Banta House - Production of videos, featuring the historic houses and structures not otherwise accessible, which may be used for museum orientation by physically challenged visitors. (Contact person: Susan English, 847/255-1225).

Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago - $482,000
Learning Through Art - Support community educational programs including the Park Voyagers, student and teacher programs, and interpretive exhibitions and family programs. (Contact person: Karin Victoria, 312/443-3519).

Aurora Public Art Commission Gallery - Aurora - $9,640
Aurora Public Art Commission Brochure - Creation of a brochure describing the Commission, its mission, functions and history as well as introducing the Aurora Outdoor Art and Science Walk. (Contact person: Rena Church, 630/906-0654).

Aurora Regional Fire Museum - Aurora - $9,640
Hot Programs for Kids - Installation of a "kids guide," with interpretive labeling aimed at third and fourth grade students to help them better understand the exhibits. (Contact person: David Lewis, 630/892-1572).

Bloomingdale Park District Museum - Bloomingdale - $9,640
2001 Museum Exhibition Series - Will consist of adult and youth workshops to compliment each exhibit in the 2001 museum schedule, which consists of six major exhibitions in two galleries. (Contact person: Mary Jo Bailey, 630/529-3650).

Brookfield Zoo - Brookfield - $482,000
Public Education Initiatives - Development of technology based educational programming on wildllife conservation, further development of the zoo web site, and implementation of a Roving Naturalist Program. (Contact person: Nancy Watson, 708/485-0263 ext. 696).

Burpee Museum of Natural History - Rockford - $11,315
Outreach Program Expansion for Elementary Students - Addition to the museum's outreach efforts of a Fossil and Dinosaurs Program aimed at elementary grades. (Contact person: Steve Sjogren, 815/965-3433).

Cabin Nature Center - Wood Dale - $9,640
Interpretive Experiences Expanded - Addition of a birds of prey program to existing interpretive and interactive experiences and enhancement of the nature trails with updated signs and restorative plantings. (Contact person: Andrea Davis, 630/860-1111).

Chicago Architecture Foundation - Chicago - $56,632
Youth Education Programs - Grant funds will be used for the re-development of the teacher's manual and programs to address new academic standards of Chicago Public Schools. These programs involve hands-on activities for younger students and tours designed around learning objectives for older students which incorporate areas such as architectural design, urban planning and historic preservation. (Contact person: Stacey Stern, 312/922-3432 ext. 229).

Chicago Botanic Garden - Glencoe - $277,730
Advancing Adult Education - Adult learners will be served through the Institute for Plant Conservation Biology, a multi-level research and training program for applied plant conservation biology. The Institute will be closely tied to the School of the Chicago Botanic Garden and will create a natural continuum for students as they advance in their learning. (Contact person: Barbara Whitney-Carr, 847/835-8225).

Chicago Children's Museum - Chicago - $86,097
Student Visit Program and Educator's Preview - Continuation of the Student Visit Program enabling pre-school through fifth grade students, teachers, and parent chaperones with the opportunity to experience the museum at a reduced admission fee. Funds will also support an educators' preview program. (Contact person: Stacia Whitmore, 312/464-7717).

Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago - $143,674
Education Program - Development of programming and materials that explore the Center as an architectural, social and historical landmark while serving a diverse local school and college population. (Contact person: Eileen Friestad, 312/332-2334).

Chicago Historical Society - Chicago - $146,462
Expansion of Educational Program - Continuation of the distance learning and Park Voyagers programs. Through its Distance Learning Center, the museum maintains direct contact with school audiences through live-time video conferencing. (Contact person: Robert Nauert, 312/642-4600 ext. 209).

Children's Discovery Museum - Bloomington - $9,640
"Expanding Our Reach" - The new educational outreach program will allow the museum to develop a plan for taking current museum classes into classrooms and communities. The museum will also continue to meet demand for existing educational programs. (Contact person: Shari Buckellew, 309/829-6222).

Children's Museum of Illinois - Decatur - $9,640
Discovery Workshops for School and Community Groups - Enhancement of current educational offerings with the addition of more educators in the free workshops for community groups offered after school and on weekends. (Contact person: Melinda Shaw, 217/423-9179).

Cosley Zoo - Wheaton - $9,640
Interpretation for Casual Visitors - Expansion and improvement of a new mobile interpretation program through the recruitment, training, and supervision of teen volunteers, enhancement of the mobile station to include more areas of the zoo, and development of an evaluation tool for the casual interpretation program. (Contact person: Alice Eastman, 630/665-5534).

Crystal Lake Park District Nature Center - Crystal Lake - $9,640
Nature Center Intern - Implementation of a summer internship program for local teachers and college students centering on environmental and natural resource education, management, curriculum development, and project management skills. (Contact person: Rita Aken, 815/455-1763).

Des Plaines Historical Museum - Des Plaines - $9,640
"History Theatre" - The museum will present local history with live actors. (Contact person: Joy Matthiessen, 847/391-5399).

Discovery Center Museum - Rockford - $10,730
Education Program Development - Maintain and improve the quality of the current educational programming and introduce new family biology nights and a "Wet Festivals" series to the outreach offerings. Focused field trips will also be expanded. (Contact person: Sarah Wolf, 815/963-6769).

DuPage Children's Museum - Naperville - $14,467
Learning Labs for Elementary Students - Further development and design of Learning Labs which provide kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms with interdisciplinary exhibit stations, learning materials and tools, and a specially trained museum facilitator to stimulate learning. (Contact person: April Arnold, 630/260-9907).

DuPage County Historical Museum - Wheaton - $9,640
Development of Teacher Resource Materials - Development of materials for the museum's "Child's Play" program with the addition of a research/writer to work with the museum's educator. The program helps students develop analytical skills while having fun. (Contact person: Susan Stob, 630/682-7343).

Durant House Museum - St. Charles - $9,640
"Prairie Life Workshops - At Work and Play in the 19th Century" - Development of a series of workshops emphasizing hands-on experience for museum docents, junior docents, and the general public. (Contact person: Elizabeth Safanda, 630/377-6424).

DuSable Museum of African American History - Chicago - $25,066
Education Program Expansion - The museum will expand its school and family programs by participating in the Chicago Park Voyagers program. The museum will also develop a black history book club, a young docents program for high school students, and an internship program for college students. (Contact person: Michelle Bibbs, 773/947-0600 ext. 273).

Early American Museum - Mahomet - $9,640
Prairie Stories - Development of educational materials for a new exhibit using individual accounts to tell the story of east central Illinois from its beginnings through 1930. (Contact person: Cheryl Kennedy, 217/586-2612).

Elgin Area Historical Society Museum - Elgin - $9,640
Developing Exhibit-Related Programs - Continuation of the development of age-specific educational programming to supplement updated exhibit area focuses. (Contact person: Elizabeth Marston, 847/742-4248).

Ellwood House Museum - DeKalb - $9,640
Continuation of Free School Programs - Develop and distribute materials to teachers and students at no cost, train volunteer docents to assist with school program activities, and the continue the museum educator position as full-time. (Contact person: Gerald Brauer, 815/756-4609).

Elmhurst Historical Museum - Elmhurst - $9,640
History at Home Video Project - Creation of two video programs about Elmhurst history for teachers to use as in-class resources in the local elementary schools. (Contact person: Jennifer VanHaaften, 630/833-1457).

Emily Oaks Nature Center - Skokie - $9,640
Guided Interaction Program - Development of materials relative to public and teacher education/training for the new orientation exhibit known as the "Woodland Wander Inn." (Contact person: Lee Hansen, 847/674-1500 ext. 8).

Fabyan Villa Museum - St. Charles - $9,640
"Exploring the Fabyan's Backyard" - Installation of information signs containing descriptions and photos of each artifact as it was when the Fabyans occupied the estate. (Contact person: Amy Hiler, 630/377-6424).

Field Museum - Chicago - $482,000
Lifelong Learning - Participation in the Park Voyagers program; initiation of a pilot program on sequenced, environmental education curriculum for kindergarten through eighth grade students; and, reaching millions of students and educators across the country through live satellite and web casts offering electronic field trips entitled, "The Field Expedition Company." (Contact person: Deborah Bakken, 312-665-7807).

Flagg Creek Museum - Burr Ridge - $9,640
Vial House School Programs - Further development of the curriculum, hands-on exhibits and compilation of a learning kit for teachers and students. (Contact person: Denise Will, 630/662-6220).

Freeport Arts Center - Freeport - $9,640
Arts Programs for Kids - Continuation of educational programming including a free family arts festival, a senior docent program and a theatre and music appreciation workshop. (Contact person: Becky Hewitt Connors, 815/235-9755).

Garfield Park Conservatory - Chicago - $41,648
Children's Garden Exhibit Programming - Planned programming for the Conservatory's new museum/botanical exhibit entitled, "The Children's Garden" where teachers, students, parents, and small children may use the learning laboratory and activity center through hands-on, multi sensory teaching tools. (Contact person: Troy Lair, 773-638-1766 ext. 13).

General John A. Logan Museum - Murphysboro - $9,640
Educational Programming Assistance - Improvement and further expansion of the museum's education program through staff support, the development of a museum brochure and a pre-visit curriculum guide for the soon-to-be-restored Dalton House and reconstructed log cabin courthouse. (Contact person: Michael Jones, 618/684-3455 or 618/687-4388).

Glen Oak Zoo - Peoria - $9,640
Environmental Education Programs K-12 - Expansion of educational outreach and on-site programming through the hiring and training of interns from local universities and colleges. (Contact person: Janice Schweitzer, 309/686-3365 ext. 204).

The Grove - Glenview - $9,640
Pioneer Skill Center - Blacksmith Program - Development of the Pioneer Skills Center, which provides hands-on opportunities for directed learning, and development, educational materials, and supplies for a blacksmith program. (Contact person: Steve Swanson, 847/299-6096).

Health World - Barrington - $28,893
Health Education Resources to Meet Growing School Needs - The addition of teaching areas, models, resources and teaching staff to meet the growing demand for health education for the Chicago area students. (Contact person: Kim Zylke, 847/842-0097).

Heritage in Flight Museum, Inc - Lincoln - $9,640
Aviation Careers Project - Initiate a program designed to introduce the field of aviation to high school students. (Contact person: Jack Burke, 217-732-3333).

Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest - Oak Park - $9,640
Becoming Oak Park: A Centennial Education Program - Continuation of educational programming designed around Oak Park's centennial celebration. (Contact person: Frank Lipo, 708/848-6755).

Hoosier Grove Museum - Streamwood - $9,640
Educational and Informational Internet Package - Creation of an internet package highlighting the history of Streamwood through photos and materials from the museum's archives, including a curriculum component to be used by teachers and students. (Contact person: Nancy Gher, 630/213-9706).

Illinois State Museum - Springfield - $139,967
Technology Learning Center Training and Access to Museum Resources - Continued expansion of the educational opportunities and resources involving the state-of-the-art Technology Learning Center. This program will be refined and expanded to reach more teachers and students, including at-risk students, as well as increase access to the museum's collections. (Contact person: Bonnie Styles, 217/782-7475).

John A Logan College Museum - Carterville - $9,640
Educational Programming for Museum & Art Galleries - Expansion of the educational opportunities related to the college's art program, local history and African American heritage. (Contact person: Adrienne Barkley, 618/985-2828).

Klehm Arboretum - Rockford - $9,640
Plant Inventory and Youth Education - Implement a full evaluation of past program reviews and the implementation of changes for a core curriculum with the assistance of a full-time professional involved with the youth education programs. (Contact person: Laura Wyatt, 815/965-8146).

Kohl Children's Museum - Wilmette - $29,458
City Connections - Expansion of outreach programming targeting schools in the underserved communities in Chicago and the suburbs, utilizing partnerships with educational and community organizations to supplement and strengthen early childhood learning in schools. (Contact person: Thomas De Walle, 847/256-6065 ext. 335).

Lake County Discovery Museum - Wauconda - $9,640
New School and Family Programs - Development of two new educational programs, "Prairie Partners" and "Places and Spaces: Architecture in Action." Also, expand educational offerings at the museum by initiating a web based program. (Contact person: Janet Gallimore, 847/526-7878).

Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences - Peoria - $16,823
Expansion of Education Programs - Assistance with costs associated with being a Smithsonian Affiliate, allowing exhibitions to travel to the museum; certification and training for education staff in a math and science based curriculum; and, updating of materials used for an art appreciation program. (Contact person: Julie Lindstrom, 309/686-7000 ext. 30).

Lincoln Memorial Garden and Nature Center - Springfield - $9,640
Education Intern and Exhibit Upgrades - Funds will be used to hire an educational intern and acquire educational supplies. The intern will assist with school groups during peak seasons, assist with the development of new programs and upgrade many of the center's interactive exhibits. (Contact person: Jim Matheis, 217/529-1111).

Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago - $262,698
Informal Interpretive Programs/Volunteer Initiatives - Revamping of the zoo's recruiting and training practices to attract, train and retain a diverse group of volunteer educators. (Contact person: Paul Nebenzahl, 312/742-2332).

Lincoln's New Salem - Petersburg - $18,031
Enhancement of Interpretive and Educational Programs - Continue improvement of the educational and interpretive programs by increasing the number of interpretive staff and their training. Additional reproduction items will be purchased for use in the historic village. (Contact person: Bradley Winn, 217/632-4000).

Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art - Elmhurst - $9,640
Educational Website: Rock and Mineral Challenge - A graphically designed interactive website specifically for grade school children and their teachers to enhance the Rock and Mineral education unit as defined by the Illinois Learning Standards. (Contact person: John Lizzadro, 630/833-1616).

Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum - Chicago - $38,751
Arte Ambulante - Offering an array of programs, ranging from the visual and performing arts to community oriented projects and workshops, to educate people of all ages and backgrounds about Mexican art and culture. (Contact person: Lydia Huante, 312/738-1503).

Midway Village and Museum Center - Rockford - $13,319
Midway Village Reaches Out - The museum will support the traveling exhibition, "The Buffalo Soldier: The African American Soldier in the U.S. Army, 1866-1912"; and the living history program "Visions of the Past." (Contact person: David Byrnes, 815/397-9112).

Morton Arboretum - Lisle - $139,836
Children's Adventure Garden - Utilize a design team that will include an education specialist, landscape architect, exhibition and interpretive specialist and an architect to develop new educational programming and activities. (Contact person: Joan Sunseri, 630/719-2449).

Morton Grove Historical Museum - Morton Grove - $9,640
Pioneers - A New Place, A New Life - Develop programs involving a new exhibit conveying the local pioneer experience, as well as hiring a landscape architect to advise on the planting of a turn-of-the-century garden. (Contact person: Mary Walsh, 847/965-0203).

Mount Prospect Historical Society - Mount Prospect - $9,640
Friedrichs House Museum Video History Project - Develop a series of five half-hour programs on videocassette, each aimed at an age or group, to expand and improve the museum's education programs. (Contact person: Gavin Kleespies, 847/392-9006).

Museum of Broadcast Communications - Chicago - $16,394
MBC Online: Expanding Access to Museum Resources - Improve access to educators, students, and the public to the museum's educational resources and programs through the use of the internet. (Contact person: Philip Buta, 312-629-6008).

Museum of Contemporary Art - Chicago - $217,568
Educational Outreach Programs - Expand free educational outreach programs, including the School Tour program that supports the Illinois State and Chicago Public Schools' goals for learning with tours led by trained volunteer guides. The museum's High School Initiative program conducts in-class presentations and develops customized programming for high schools. (Contact person: Chris Jabin, 312/397-3967).

Museum of Science and Industry - Chicago - $482,000
Education 2001/Park Voyager Programs - Continue offering initiatives in partnership with schools, community organizations and other Chicago cultural institutions to help students, and to help teachers and parents help students, while meeting state goals for science, math and reading education. (Contact person: Michael Boersma, 773/947-3747).

Naper Settlement - Naperville - $22,166
A Trip Through Time - The Settlement's "A Trip Through Time" - Promote learning social science through state-approved curriculum emphasizing live interaction with actors presenting first person interpretation of 19th century Naperville citizens. (Contact person: Peggy Frank, 630/420-6011).

Oak Park Conservatory - Oak Park - $9,640
"Preparing for the Future" - Materials and supplies will be acquired for two new educational programs, "Ecosystems From Around the World" and "Plants and Religions from Around the World," as well as existing educational programs. (Contact person: John Seaton, 708/386-4700).

Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum - Rantoul - $9,640
"Restoring Our Wings: The F-86 Sabre Relocation" - Removal of a F-86 Sabre aircraft from its current elevated roadside stand and relocating it to the museum for use in educational programming. (Contact person: Mary Hill, 217/893-1613).

Peck Farm Park - Geneva - $9,640
Fourth Grade Prairie Program/Prairie Enhancement - Expansion of existing school programs to include a new interactive program designed for fourth grade classes and teachers. Modification of the program to suit other grades and the public will occur after an evaluation of the initial offering is completed. (Contact person: Dilip Das, 630/262-8244).

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - Chicago - $101,524
Expansion of Science Outreach Programs - Increase the museum's role in the Park Voyagers program and continue with the Science on the Go Club, Girl Scout Badge workshops, Chicago Academy of Sciences Club and programming in all the exhibits at the museum. (Contact person: Tracy Shepherd, 773/549-0606 ext. 2058).

Pilcher Park Nature Center - Joliet - $9,640
Mighty Acorns Youth Stewardship Project - Introduce young people to nature through stewardship and exploration in tours and programs led by trained naturalists, including seed collecting and planting. (Contact person: Debbie Greene, 815/741-7277).

Pioneer Sholes School - Joliet - $1,976
Curriculum Development - Updating of current curriculum by revising the Pioneer Sholes School teacher's manual and making it available through the school's website. All sample lessons will focus on Illinois State goals on which students will be tested. (Contact person: Janice Byrne, 630/762-9746).

Pleasant Home - Oak Park - $9,640
"Pleasant Home - Marketing an Historic Resource" - Continue educational programs and develop a marketing plan to increase community awareness of programs offered by Pleasant Home to area schools. (Contact person: Mary Beth Blatner, 708/383-2654).

Prairie Aviation Museum - Bloomington - $9,640
Program Enhancements - Update exhibit cases to display more artifacts; purchase video equipment to record information related to aviation and space travel for use by museum visitors and local schools. (Contact person: Norm Wingler, 309/663-7632).

Quincy Art Center - Quincy - $9,640
Quincy Art Center's Tour Connection - Design, produce and distribute a special marketing piece promoting art center exhibitions and special programming opportunities, emphasizing the "Special Tour" and "Tour and Hands-on Program" elements. (Contact person: Julie Nelson, 217/223-5900).

Randall Oaks Zoo - West Dundee - $9,640
1800's Schoolhouse Program - Develop and implement a program, with hands-on exhibits, signs and teacher materials, showing students how children of early settlers were educated compared to today. (Contact person: Ryan Mangiaracina, 847/551-4301).

Red Oak Nature Center - Aurora - $9,640
Habitat Orientation Model - Construct a three dimensional habitat map, equipped with an interactive system of buttons and lights, depicting the center's grounds, interpretive trails, and habitat locations, enhancing school and public education programs. (Contact person: James Kenney, 630/897-1808).

River Trail Nature Center - Northbrook - $9,640
Expansion and Enhancement of Biodiversity Education Outreach Programming - Upgrade educational materials improving on-site and outreach biodiversity programs to schools in Cook County as well as to families and youth groups. (Contact person: Cathy Geraghty, 708/771-1097).

Robert Crown Center for Health Education - Hinsdale - $16,869
"Special Education for the Disabled" - Develop health education programs for area students with developmental disabilities. Through highly specialized staff and teaching resources/materials, students will develop an understanding of preventative healthcare. (Contact person: John Zaremba, 630/325-1932).

Rock Springs Visitor Center - Decatur - $9,640
Nature in a Box - Creation of portable environmental and historical edcuation units known as "Nature in a Box," to be made available to educators throughout Macon County. (Contact person: Jeffrey Tish, 217/423-7708).

Rockford Art Museum - Rockford - $11,521
Permanent Collection Education Materials Development - Development of exhibitions and educational support materials for museum visitors and area educators focusing on the museum's permanent collections. (Contact person: Lorie Langan, 815/968-2787).

SciTech - Aurora - $9,640
VISTA - Phase II - Update of current educational programming to reflect changes in science and technology, add trained teachers, and enhance marketing efforts for educational programs. (Contact person: Karin Gleason, 630/859-3434 ext. 16).

Shedd Aquarium - Chicago - $369,669
Education Outreach - Development of outreach programming, including Park Voyagers and community events, to promote appreciation and conservation of aquatic environments to children and families. (Contact person: Victor Webber, 312/692-3150).

Smith Museum of Stained Glass - Chicago - $9,640
Expand Educational Programming - Expansion of educational exhibits and better market the museum's educational programs. The museum will retain a curator with expertise in stained glass to develop educational literature, interpretive signs, information catalogs and two video. (Contact person: Edward Byron Smith Jr, 847/320-2260).

Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary - Schaumburg - $9,640
Exhibit Design of Visitor Center Renovation - Development of an exhibit concept plan designed to enhance self-guided, exploratory educational programming that will be part of an addition to the nature center. (Contact person: Michael Selep, 847/985-2115).

St. Charles Heritage Center - St. Charles - $9,640
Oral Histories and Documentaries Project - St. Charles history will be documented by recording oral history interviews with current and former residents and video taping significant events, including speeches, parades and school events. The oral histories will be made available to center visitors for review at times convenient to them. (Contact person: Barbara Ciechna, 630/584-6967).

Stephenson County Historical Museum - Freeport - $9,640
Education in Stephenson County - Staff will expand educational offerings and tours to school children. (Contact person: Suzy Beggin, 815/232-8419).

Tekakwitha Woods Nature Center - St. Charles - $9,640
Biodiversity of the Fox River - Provide new supplies and equipment and the hiringof a part-time outreach naturalist to design and develop environmental education programs based on Fox River watershed biodiversity. (Contact person: Valerie DePrez, 847/741-9924).

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum - Rockford - $9,640
Expansion of On-Site Programming - Expand existing programs and introduce new exhibits, interactive activities and special events as part of the museum's new educational center. Area teachers will be alerted to the expanded resources and programming. (Contact person: Laura Bachelder, 815/964-2424).

Walter E Heller Nature Center - Batavia - $9,640
The On-Line Naturalist - Creation of an interactive web site and an "On-Line Naturalist Program," developed by staff and a consultant, to increase public participation in programs at the center. (Contact person: Steve Meyer, 847/433-6901).