The theme for the 2009-2011 cycle of MCCA is Sustaining Cultural Heritage. Additional sub-themes are listed below. Applicants are welcome to propose projects outside these themes; however, projects directly addressing the themes will receive additional consideration by the MCCA selection committee.

• Relevance and Reciprocity: Engaging New Audiences
  Projects that explore how museums can make themselves relevant to new and/or underserved audiences by focusing on what these new audiences can teach the museum and how they themselves can benefit from the museum.
• Sustainable Tourism
  Projects that explore how museums can contribute to tourism and local economies by sustaining, rather than degrading, natural and cultural resources. An example might be a historic site working with the local community to develop sustainable tourism resources.
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
  Projects that involve documenting, preserving, or sustaining non-material culture such as songs, folklore, and traditional knowledge.
• Volunteerism
  Projects that involve promoting a culture of volunteerism in the surrounding community.
• Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity
  Projects that explore preservation of natural environments as a prerequisite to sustaining culture.