The Alaska State Museum has been selected as one of the nation’s 10 best museums by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
The award was given to the museum’s managing body, the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.
Giuliana Bullard, a public affairs representative with the institute, said the Alaska State Museum has been extraordinarily effective in public outreach and support, criteria they value heavily when evaluating nominees.
“One of the aspects of the Alaska State Museum that stood out for us is that they offer strong outreach and support for institutions they have served,” Bullard said. The museum “help(s) smaller organizations, many of them tribal, tell their own stories.”
Some form of this national medal award has been around fo 23 years under different names, Bullard added. Counting this year’s 10 winners, the institute has recognized 172 organizations.
“This is our countries highest honor to the contribution museums and libraries are making to their communities,” Bullard said. “These are really quality programs that make an impact by reaching out and working collaboratively.”
The Alaska State Museum was invited to a Washington, D.C. award ceremony scheduled for later this summer.
As part of the award, the museum will also receive a visit from StoryCorps, a nonprofit organization which seeks to collect and share as many personal stories as possible.
