LONDON.- Bank of America Merrill Lynch today launched a major initiative to help conserve important works of art and cultural treasures. As part of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Programme, The Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Inc. will provide grants to restore cherished art works to preserve their unique cultural value for future generations.

Applications are welcome from non-profit museums and cultural institutions throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. They will be assessed by a group of bank personnel, including curators, who will seek outside advice as required.

The programme is expected to grant at least US$1 million per year, with the actual outlay to vary based on the submissions and the desire to reach multiple geographies and media.

The initiative is part of Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s global arts programme, which aims to promote the critical role that art plays in enhancing cultural awareness and understanding.

Rena Desisto, Global Arts and Heritage executive said: “Museums around the world are full of treasures that either represent significant cultural value to that region or play their part in the history of art internationally. It is extremely important to preserve these treasures, to secure their unique cultural value for future generations to enjoy.”

Organisations can apply to restore a broad range of treasured pieces. They may be paintings, works on paper, photographs, sculptures, tapestries or works of decorative or applied art.

Institutions may apply online ahead of the deadline, 30 June 2010. Each grant includes funding for a year-long restoration programme; however some exceptions will be made if the work of art requires longer-term conservation.

Ms Desisto continued: “Treasured art increasingly requires conservation to retain its original integrity. At the same time, science and technology enable us to re-create a piece of art in a way deemed impossible years ago. Our programme will elevate the role of restoration in preserving national pride and celebrate the developments made in recent years to restore our precious art.”

The Bank of America Merrill Lynch Art Conservation Programme joins the company’s existing global support of the arts, which includes music, visual arts and theatre; facilitates museum access; provides grants for education programmes, and loans full exhibitions from the company’s collection to numerous museums each year, free of charge.

“We encourage any non-profit institution with significant works of art that are in need of conservation to apply and potentially benefit from this innovative programme,” concluded Ms Desisto.

For more information and to apply, please visit:
http://museums-admin.bankofamerica.com/partner/artconservation/