Online Newsletter

RAILROAD MUSEUM MOVING TO FRISCO, TEXAS
The Museum of the American Railroad has entered into an agreement with the City of Frisco to relocate its permanent collection and operations to that city. The new museum will anchor other cultural heritage facilities and compliment a system of planned parks and recreational areas. Formerly known as the “Age of Steam,” the Museum of the American Railroad is a 45-year old Dallas institution currently located in Fair Park.

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PANHANDLE-PLAINS HISTORICAL MUSEUM ACQUIRES RO RANCH COLLECTION FROM SCOTLAND
PPHM recently procured the RO Ranch collection with an acquisition purchase fund created by Tom and Norma Cambridge. The collection formerly belonged to Henry Rowe, grandson of Alfred Rowe, and his wife Sarah, who live in Scotland. The collection includes the diaries of Alfred and his wife, photographs of the ranch, maps, financial records, stock reports, and letters. Owner Alfred Rowe died on the Titanic.

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GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION TO MANAGE BISHOP’S PALACE
Officials of Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) and the Galveston-Houston Catholic Archdiocese announced recently the signing of a long-expected agreement giving GHF responsibility for the daily operation and maintenance of the Bishop’s Palace, Galveston’s most visited historic attraction. The Archdiocese will retain ownership of the lavish 1892 mansion at 1402 Broadway, which it has operated as a house museum since 1963.

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SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM RELOCATES ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza has leased 5,969 square feet of office space at 501 Elm Street in Dallas. The expansion allows the museum to repurpose its former offices at 411 Elm, a building known in 1963 as the Texas School Book Depository, into much-needed space for collection - and exhibition-related functions.

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FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY EXHIBIT WINS THEA AWARD
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History has earned the Themed Entertainment Association's Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement for CSI: The Experience, an interactive exhibit and web-based learning adventure incorporating elements from the popular CBS television series "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." The Thea Awards, considered the experience industry's highest honor, recognize excellence in the creation of outstanding guest experiences.

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TCA PHASING OUT RIO GRANDE VALLEY OFFICE
As part of a state mandate to reduce expenses, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) will close its Rio Grande Valley office in McAllen effective May 2008. Mia Buentello will remain a part of the TCA team and will move to TCA’s Austin headquarters in June where she will be able to more easily confer with other TCA staff members and continue to provide professional assistance to the Rio Grande Valley region.

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DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART TO OPEN THE CENTER FOR CREATIVE COLLECTIONS
On Saturday, May 3, 2008, the Dallas Museum of Art will premiere the Center for Creative Connections. Located at the core of the museum on the first level, the Center for Creative Connections is intended to stimulate curiosity, inquiry, reflection and creativity in guests of all ages as they connect more deeply with works of art. Designed by Gluckman Mayner Architects, the Center’s renovations were completed by Balfour Beatty Construction.

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TEXAS SPORTS HALL OF FAME HOLDS GROUNDBREAKING
The Texas Sports Hall of Fame is expanding its facility from 16,000 square feet to approximately 34,000 square feet. The new addition will include 10,000 square feet of space to honor the old Southwest Conference with approximately 1,000 square feet of display area for each former member institution and a Cotton Bowl exhibit as well.

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THE PORTFOLIO IN MUSEUM STUDIES WEB SITE IS NOW LIVE!
The Museum Studies Portfolio is open to doctoral and master students from any college/school at UT Austin, and will begin the Fall semester 2008. Although this program is administered through the College of Fine Arts, it is assumed that applicants will come from diverse disciplines and represent a wide range of interests. A portfolio program is a non-degree program. First review of applications will be completed by August 15, 2008. Prospective students already enrolled in a graduate program should submit applications for this review by June 30, 2008. For more information go to: http://www.utexas.edu/cofa/museum/

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SMU IN DALLAS WILL BE NEW HOME TO BUSH LIBRARY
Southern Methodist University will be home to George W. Bush's presidential library, officials formally announced in February. The library, museum and public policy institute — called the Presidential Center — will be on the eastern part of the 11,000-student, private university in one of Dallas's wealthiest neighborhoods. The library and museum will be run by the National Archives and Records Administration, while the institute will be run by the foundation.

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TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO HOLD GRANT WORKSHOPS, JUNE 25-27, 2008. For more information go to : http://www.thc.state.tx.us/grantsincent/grawork.shtml

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HOUSTON, TEXAS SELECTED AS SITE OF 2011 AAM MEETING
The American Association of Museums has selected Houston, Texas as the site of the 2011 AAM Annual Meeting. Meeting dates are May 22- 26, 2011. The meeting will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

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SAVE THE DATE: THE TEXAS CONFERENCE ON DIGITAL LIBRARIES will be held May 28th - 30th, 2008 at the University of Texas at Austin.

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GRANT DEADLINES: State Click Here