A Technical Assistance Grant allows member organizations to apply for up to $250.00 (plus mileage) to hire a consultant specializing in the area in which they need assistance. An on-site visit is not a pre-requistit to a Technical Assistance Grant but it is advised that the organization consult with a WNYAHA representative before applying for this grant. Grants cover areas such as Collections Management Procedures, Conservation, Board Development, Educational Programming, Strategic Planning, and Exhibit Development. Other, more specific catagories can also be covered. Consultants are generally from the Western and Central New York region and have been associated with WNYAHA for many years. If the consultant´s fee is more than $250.00, the balance is the responsibility of the organization.
On-Site Visits/Technical Assistance Grants
An On-Site Visit is offered to WNYAHA Organizational Members free of charge. These visits, conducted by a WNYAHA representative, are usually of a general, non-specific nature. They are for musuems that have minor questions or problems or just need some reassurance that they are meeting professional standards. The reviewer will offer assistance and try to answers questions while on-site and will then follow-up with suggestions in a written report a few weeks later. If the review finds that there is an area in which the organization needs more intense technical assistance, he/she will recommend to the WNYAHA Board that the organization receive a Technical Assistance Grant to hire a consultant in a specialized area.