Officials of the Hubbard Museum of the American West announced they are the recipient of a federal grant in the amount of $79,355 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services/Museums of America 2011 grant program.
Funds from the grant are to be used to upgrade all of the technology in the Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center which opened at the Museum in the Fall of 2009. The newer technology will enhance the Center’s ability to connect to a variety of Smithsonian Institution museums in real-time, as well as other museums around the world who share similar technology.
“We are very pleased and a little surprised to receive the award,” commented Jim Kofakis, director of the Museum, “We received a call from the New Mexico office of United States Sen. Jeff Bingaman giving us a heads up that we would be receiving official notification on July 29th. With all that is going on in Washington, it is truly an honor to receive the grant award.”
The Hubbard Museum was one of three museums in New Mexico to receive funding through the 2011 phase of the Museum’s of American grant block administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The Los Alamos Historical Society and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture were also awarded funding. Nationwide, 160 museums received project funding.
The Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center was officially opened in October of 2009 with the financial assistance of Mr. & Mrs. Cope, the R.D. & Joan Dale Hubbard Foundation
and many donations from museum members and patrons. The center provides multi-faceted functionality including real-time live video connections to most of the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and many other high-tech options. The equipment in the Cope Learning Center is being completely updated to the most current technology available and will additionally allow the Museum to broadcast tours and educational programming to people all over the world.The Hubbard Museum of the American West is located at 26301 Highway 70, and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the Museum is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is available for senior citizens, military personnel, and youth. Visit our web page at www.hubbardmuseum.org or call 575.378.4142 for information.