The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded 178 museums across the US a total of US$19,550,000 (£12,760,000, €15,280,000) in Museums for America (MFA) grants.

The museums, chosen from 510 applicants, represent 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, the grants being designed to support high-priority activities that advance their respective missions and strategic goals. Acting director Marsha L. Semmel said: "This year's MFA grant recipients are truly an exciting and diverse group of museums, representing the remarkable ways that large and small institutions are serving communities.

"Funded projects support digitisation and collections management plans, enhanced accessibility, environmental literacy, and much more. The work of these institutions will educate and inspire citizens of all ages." Awarded in three categories - engaging communities, building institutional capacity, and collections stewardship - MFA grants fund projects such as educational programmes and exhibits, staff and volunteer training, research, planning, technological upgrades, and equipment purchases.

The recipients of this years MFA awards include projects such as The Massachusetts Audubon Society for the addition of ADA-accessible elements to eight nature trails; the University of New Mexico's Maxwell Museum of Anthropology for the development of a collaborative digital repository for New Mexico museums; the Arkansas Museum of Science and History for the creation of two new exhibit experiences, 'Tornado Alley Object Theater' and 'Extreme Weather Channel'; and the Cleveland Museum of Art for the establishment of a team of staff members to jointly interpret 425 art works in the museum's Lifelong Learning Center. The IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the US's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. It works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organisations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

Image shows Gordon Hall, headquarters of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, Massachusetts : John Phelan