Westmont Magazine Grant Funds Art Catalog

Reynolds Gallery has received a $113,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help manage its permanent art collection. The federal grant, which requires matching funds from Westmont, is highly competitive; only 167 out of 433 applicants nationwide got the award.

“The IMLS grant is a real encouragement for Westmont,” says Judy L. Larson, R. Anthony Askew professor of art and director of Reynolds Gallery. “It will enable us to implement best practices in our procedures and outreach in Adams Center for the Visual Arts. The timing is perfect as we plan for the January 2011 opening of our this facility.”

A statement from Congresswoman Lois Capps congratulates the college. “This is a tremendous honor for Dr. Larson and Westmont College. This award will . . . also support the greater Santa Barbara arts community. We are so blessed to have this institution of higher learning in our community.”

Reviewers called Larson’s proposal “a well-designed project with strong, experienced leadership” and “critical to professionally managing a collection that will be housed in a new, state-of-the-art facility.”

The funds allow the college to create an 18-month position to inventory and catalog the permanent collection, including pieces like “Musical Chairs: At-one-ment” by Ed Inks (below). The registrar will also draft policies that will govern the collection in the future. The grant provides for a symposium and for publications increasing public awareness of the new museum and its collection.

IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The institute works at the national level to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas and helps them sustain heritage, culture and knowledge and enhance learning and innovation.