The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures Awarded Grant to Transform Online Collection

October 10, 2023

Funding Secured for Digital Preservation and Inclusive Web Design: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is thrilled to announce the Museum’s successful grant application, securing vital funding to embark on an ambitious three-year project that promises to increase the accessibility of the Museum’s collection. Made possible through the support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), this transformative endeavor will enhance the Museum’s role as an educational resource, enrich the learning experience for students and educators, expand community engagement, and deepen understanding of the collection’s historical and artistic significance.

“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore, and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities.“

The grant will allow the Museum to extend professional photography and interpretive information on the Museum’s website from 42 collection objects to 1,250 collection objects, all seamlessly accessible through an intuitive search component. Collaborating closely with K-12 and university stakeholders from schools within a 60-mile radius, the Museum will build awareness of the unique open educational resources to further assist educators in incorporating these resources into their classroom instruction. 

Continuing Preservation Through Student Mentorship: The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, located on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, aims to strengthen the partnership with the university through a student fellowship program. This initiative will involve three research fellows per semester over the course of seven academic semesters. These upper-level undergraduate and graduate students will gain valuable hands-on experience in research and data management for the Museum’s collections, contributing to improved care and accessibility for all audiences.

“The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is embarking on an ambitious project that will expand the accessibility of the collection and, in the process, strengthen the Museum’s role as an educational resource for all,” says Petra Kralickova, Executive Director

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is dedicated to the continuation of the founders’ legacy by preserving and sharing the Museum’s unique collection of toys and fine-scale miniatures, and this grant-funded project represents a significant step towards making these treasures accessible on a global scale. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [Grant #MA-253014-OMS-23]. 

About The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures:

The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures (formerly the Toy and Miniature Museum of Kansas City) was established in 1982. Over the years, the Museum has become the home of the world’s largest fine-scale miniature collection and one of the nation’s largest historic toy collections on public display. The Museum’s collection currently numbers more than 93,000 objects – and counting. Today, The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures is a place where art meets history, and every visitor leaves feeling a little younger.

About The Institute of Museum and Library Services:

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.