Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund history appropriations language

Session Law Reference: Laws of Minnesota, 2009, Chapter 172, Article 4, Section 2.

The appropriations in this subdivision are to the Minnesota Historical Society from the arts and cultural heritage fund to preserve and enhance access to Minnesota’s history and its cultural and historical resources. Grants agreements entered into by the Minnesota Historical Society and other recipients of appropriations in this section shall ensure that these funds are used to supplement and not substitute for traditional sources of funding. Funds directly appropriated to the Minnesota Historical Society shall be used to supplement, and not substitute for, traditional sources of funding. Funds appropriated in the first year may be carried over to the second. No more than 2.5 percent of each appropriation may be used for administration by the Minnesota Historical Society. The Minnesota Historical Society, with the assistance of recipients funded under this section, shall report on all expenditures made from these funds to the legislature and governor by January 15 of each year.

Statewide Historic and Cultural Grants

$2,250,000 in 2010 and $4,500,000 in 2011 are appropriated for history programs and projects operated or conducted by or through local, county, regional or other historical or cultural organizations; or for activities to preserve significant historic and cultural resources. Funds are to be distributed through a competitive grants process. The Minnesota Historical Society shall administer these funds using established grants mechanisms, and with assistance from the advisory committee created herein. The Preston grain elevator restoration and recreation project shall be eligible for grants under this program. Also eligible for a grant under this section are projects previously approved by the Minnesota Historical Society that have had this approved funding refused by a public board or governing body, provided that these projects are now administered by a nonprofit organization. Ironworld is eligible for a grant under this program. (ii) The Minnesota Historical Society shall appoint a historic resources advisory committee, with balanced statewide membership and representatives of local, county, and statewide historical and cultural organizations and programs, to provide policy and grant making guidance on expenditures of funds from this paragraph. This membership shall include, but is not limited to, members representing the interests of historic preservation, local history, archaeology, archival programs, and other cultural programs related to the history of Minnesota. This committee shall seek input from all interested parties, and shall make recommendations for expenditures from these funds to the executive council of the Minnesota Historical Society; all expenditures must meet the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 138.01.

Programs

$3,000,000 in 2010 and $4,750,000 in 2011 are for programs and purposes related to the historical and cultural heritage of the state of Minnesota, conducted by the Minnesota Historical Society.

History Partnerships

$1,250,000 in 2010 and $2,750,000 in 2011 are for partnerships between and with the Minnesota Historical Society and partnering organizations to enhance access to Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage in all regions of the state.

$2,500,000 in 2010 is appropriated to the Minnesota Historical Society for an exhibit on the regional, local, and cultural diversity of Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. These funds are available until expended. These funds are for the creation of both traveling exhibits to be made available to local historical and cultural organizations and an exhibit to be housed at the Minnesota History Center. The Minnesota Historical Society shall raise funds from private sources to augment this appropriation, with a goal of $1,500,000 in private funds to be raised. This is not a match requirement, but the Minnesota Historical Society shall certify that a good faith effort has been made.

Statewide Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites

$250,000 in 2010 and $250,000 in 2011 are appropriated to the Minnesota Historical Society for a contract or contracts to be let on a competitive basis to conduct a general statewide survey of Minnesota’s sites of historical, archaeological, and cultural significance. Results of this survey must be published in a searchable form, available to the public on a costfree basis. The Minnesota Historical Society, the Office of the State Archaeologist, and the Board of Indian Affairs shall each appoint a representative to an oversight board, to select a contractor and direct the conduct of this survey. The oversight board shall consult with the Minnesota Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources. Funds appropriated for this purpose do not cancel and may be carried over from one year to the next.

Digital Library

$500,000 in 2010 is appropriated for a digital library project to preserve, digitize, and share Minnesota images, documents, and historic materials. The Minnesota Historical Society shall cooperate with the MINITEX system and shall jointly share this appropriation for these purposes.