PANAJI
Private museums and art galleries in Goa can receive annual maintenance grants of up to Rs 1 lakh under a new scheme notified by the Directorate of Museums to support heritage conservation and improve visitor facilities.
The scheme, ‘Annual Grant for Maintenance of Private Museums/Galleries in Goa’, covers conservation of collections, infrastructure upgrades and visitor services.
Eligible institutions must be registered with the Directorate or under applicable laws, including the Registration of Societies Act or Indian Trust Act, have objectives relating to cultural preservation and public education, house at least 50 historically or culturally significant artefacts, antiquities or contemporary artworks, and remain open to the public. They must also provide toilets, drinking water and collection-related information for students and visitors.
“The quantum of assistance will be determined based on the number of antiquities, objects or artworks preserved and the area of the museum premises,” the notification stated.
The grant can fund conservation materials, restoration, expert conservators, display lighting and cases, CCTV, fire safety equipment and accessibility facilities such as ramps and tactile maps.
An expert committee headed by the Secretary (Museum), with specialists in museology, history, archaeology and art, will oversee the scheme. The Directorate can inspect institutions before releasing grants and monitor fund utilisation.
Grants must be spent within the financial year. Beneficiaries must submit utilisation certificates, while unspent funds may have to be refunded with accrued interest.
