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The Honolulu Museum of Art is a finalist for the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, an honor bestowed upon museums and libraries in recognition of their service to the community.
The museum was nominated for the award by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz.
“We proudly recognize these museums and libraries for their invaluable work to provide citizens with educational resources, 21st century skills and opportunities for lifelong learning,” said Kathryn K. Matthew, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which has been giving the medal for 22 years, in a news release announcing the finalists Tuesday.
The Honolulu Museum of Art is one of 30 finalists in a field of contenders large and small that includes the Brooklyn Public Library, Dallas Holocaust Museum, Illinois Fire Service Institute Library, Nantucket Historical Association, Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History and Whitney Museum of American Art.
In the past two years, since the Honolulu museum’s basic membership fee was reduced to $25, membership has more than doubled to 13,000. The majority of new members are under 40, and monthly Art After Dark activities draw an average 2,000 guests. The museum had 299,500 visitors and participants in its educational programs in 2014. Every week, students from McKinley High School assist in teaching Kaahumanu Elementary School students in the museum’s art school.
Community members are invited to share their experiences of how the Honolulu Museum of Art has affected their lives at facebook.com/USIMLS.
National Medal winners will be announced in the spring. In 2015, 10 institutions received medals.
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