20 U.S.C. § 9173 — Museum services activities

supporting museums in providing learning and access to collections, information, and educational resources in a variety of formats (including exhibitions, programs, publications, and websites) for individuals of all ages;

supporting museums in building learning partnerships with the Nation’s schools, including tribal schools, and developing museum^* resources, capabilities, and programs in support of State^* and local efforts to offer a well-rounded educational experience to all students;

supporting the conservation and preservation of museum collections, including efforts to—

supporting efforts at the State level to leverage museum resources, including statewide assessments of museum services and needs and development of State plans to improve and maximize museum services through the State;

creating shared technology tools and data resources, and developing museum staff training plans to improve and maximize museum services through organizations such as museum associations, professional networks, community-based organizations, and foundations, and through other collaborative mechanisms;

stimulating greater collaboration, in order to share resources and strengthen communities, among museums and—

encouraging the use of new and emerging technologies and media, including new ways to disseminate information, engage varied audiences in experiential learning, and support teachers and students to enhance access to and engagement with museum collections, programs, and services;

supporting museums in developing, carrying out, and providing programs and services that meet the needs of communities throughout the Nation, including people of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, residents of rural and urban areas, Native Americans, military families, veterans, and caregivers, and for State institutions;

supporting professional development and technical assistance programs to enhance museum operations, and the skills of museum staff, at all levels, and to support the development of the next generation of museum leaders and professionals, in order to ensure the highest standards in all aspects of museum operations;

supporting museums in research, program evaluation, and the collection and dissemination of information to museum professionals and the public;

encouraging, supporting, and disseminating model programs of museum and library collaboration;

enabling museums to serve as anchor institutions to support community revitalization and the creation of opportunities for advancement; and

developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations to expand and enhance museum services.

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share described in subsection (a) shall be not more than 50 percent.

The Director may use not more than 20 percent of the funds made available under this subchapter for a fiscal year to enter into arrangements under subsection (a) for which the Federal share may be greater than 50 percent.

No funds for operational expenses may be provided under this section to any entity that is not a museum.

The Director shall establish procedures for reviewing and evaluating arrangements described in subsection (a) entered into under this subchapter.

In awarding grants, the Director shall take into consideration the equitable distribution of grants to museums of various types and sizes and to different geographic areas of the United States.