UPDATE: 4/24/2025
The Center of the West is pleased to announce we have received the majority of the reimbursements requested from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in support of our Collections Storage Project. These funds represent a significant portion of the remaining balance from the IMLS award. While not all eligible funds have been received, we will pursue the remaining reimbursements through the appropriate appeals process. The status of funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) remains unchanged. We will post updates to these reimbursements as they become available.
4/15/2025
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is deeply committed to preserving and sharing the American West through our collections, exhibitions, and educational programming. Like many museums and libraries across the country, we have relied on critical support from federal agencies such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to carry out this mission at the highest level.
The recent discontinuation of IMLS and NEH grant programs has had a measurable impact on these mission-based projects. The goal of our multi-year Collections Storage Project is to safeguard and preserve the art and artifacts of our Nation, and particularly the American West. Through a responsible and sustainable plan, 1959 era vaults were decommissioned and are being replaced by state-of-the-art onsite storage. Funding was provided in part through an IMLS grant for collections preservation and infrastructure improvement. We received notification on April 8 that the grant was terminated. We appreciate the many years of support from the IMLS and await word on its reorganization.
Separately, the Center submitted a grant proposal in December 2024 to the NEH for our upcoming exhibition, Buffalo Nation, our commemoration of the role and values of the American West for the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026. With the erasure of the NEH and its supportive funding, original plans have been altered, but in the spirit of Western fortitude and determination, the project will continue with a renewed focus and independence. “The recently impacted Center projects are not frivolous endeavors. We are responsible for the caring and sharing of American treasures; these are tangible representations of the history and cultures of this nation. While the loss of these federal programs presents real challenges, it reaffirms the strength of institutions like ours,” said Rebecca West, Executive Director and CEO of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. “We remain optimistic. Thanks to the support of our donors, partners, and community, we will continue to preserve the legacy of the American West and share it in new and meaningful ways.”
We strongly encourage members of our community to reach out to federal, state, and local leaders and state Attorney General and respectfully engage with them. Expressing your support for museums, libraries, and cultural institutions reinforces the value these organizations bring to education, preservation, and public engagement.
If you choose to reach out, consider the following:
- Thank your leaders and Attorney General for supporting museums through federal funding.
- If applicable, mention specific grants affected as noted above.
- Share concrete examples of how the Center impacts the community through exhibitions, school programs, events, and access to historical resources.
Your voice and your story can make a difference—not just for our institution, but for museums and organizations nationwide working to serve their communities. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West will continue to find creative solutions and build partnerships to ensure our collections, exhibitions, and educational initiatives remain accessible and meaningful to the public.
For more information, contact:
Ken Straniere
PR/Marketing Manager
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
+1 307-578-4137
[email protected]
