PONCE.- The National Endowment for the Humanities, under its “Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections” program, has approved the Museo de Arte de Ponce’s proposal for the purchase and installation of a high-density mobile storage unit that will store and protect the museums collection of 1,259 three-dimensional art works. The grant is in the amount of $149,800.

The Museo de Arte de Ponce, the only institution in Puerto Rico to receive a grant of this kind this year, thus moves to the vanguard in archival systems for three-dimensional objects. This system allows deposit space to be maximized while at the same time offering greater protection against natural phenomena such as earthquakes, since the unit immediately seals itself and thus helps prevent objects from falling and breaking. The museums extensive collection of 1,259 three-dimensional art works includes pieces in wood, ceramics, crystal and glass, bronze, and marble.

Agustín Arteaga, director and chief executive officer of the museum, expressed his pleasure at being able to add another important economic award to the long list compiled by the institution since its reopening late last year. A total of 18 grants (8 federal, 7 state, and 3 from foundations), awarded on the basis of highly competitive evaluation processes, have been received since then, including one for artistic excellence, one from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and this one from the NEH. “We are extremely pleased, since these grants are essential to the educational and cultural services that we offer to the Puerto Rican community. This support is also an acknowledgment on the part of these respected U.S. institutions of the Museo de Arte de Ponces quality and dedication.”

Ángel Santiago, the museums conservator of sculpture and three-dimensional objects, was equally pleased. “Receiving this grant is very significant not just institutionally but also from the point of view of the conservation work that we do here, since this storage system will make studying and caring for the pieces, even the most fragile ones, easier. It is our job to provide the appropriate care for each piece, and in that context we are very grateful for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ help in purchasing this extraordinary system, which will unquestionably help safeguard the museums legacy for future generations.