The Seminole Nation Museum has received a grant to help with numerous costs incurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Seminole Nation Museum wishes to extend our gratitude to Governor Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Arts Council for awarding us a grant through the Oklahoma Arts and Cultural Industry Relief Grants program,” said Richard Ellwanger, the museum’s executive director.

“Funds were used to maintain staff, develop digital arts and humanities programming, and to purchase personal protection equipment for our visitors and staff,” Ellwanger added.

Oklahoma Arts and Cultural Industry Relief Grants are one-time grants made possible through a $3 million allocation of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to the state’s arts and cultural sector by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.

Through decreased attendance, loss of earned revenues, and reduced public support, the Seminole Nation Museum, like others in Oklahoma’s arts and cultural sector, has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The museum is deeply appreciative of the support for the arts and cultural sector provided by Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma Arts Council through this investment of CARES Act funding,” said Ellwanger.

The museum offers in-house educational programs to both adults and students. Leaning courses cover various topics from art education to how to sew patchwork. In addition to numerous in-house tours given to visitors of all ages, the museum also provides traveling educational programs across Oklahoma and the continental U.S. Storytelling, music and traditional stomp-dance bring to life the people of the Seminole Nation and aid children in the understanding and appreciation of indigenous culture.