Description

Museum of the Cherokee People (MCP) seeks funding for a period of research and development in advance of a major update of its primary galleries. The MCP will work with a team of researchers and a panel of Indigenous advisors to develop the design and interpretation program for the museum’s galleries of Cherokee culture with the aim of preserving and sustaining the history and stories of the Cherokee people. This project will be the first comprehensive, Indigenous-led rethinking of the collection and promises to foreground and advance Indigenous-centric methodologies and Cherokee cultural protocols and practices. While seeing the Cherokee community as its primary audience, including community members who might be encouraged to enter the museum field, MCP also aims to deepen understanding of Cherokee history and culture among a non-Indigenous audience. Grant funds will support content development, conceptual designs, and implementation plans.  
This grant aligns with the AAP strategic goal 1a: To advance innovative museum projects that prioritize representation and equity through the preservation, study, and presentation of work by under-represented artists of color, collaborations with diverse external partners, and outreach to underserved communities.