What is Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad?

Museums & Community Collaborations Abroad (MCCA) is a new AAM grant program designed to strengthen international connections through innovative, museum-based exchanges. MCCA projects are go beyond traditional exhibit-based programming by focusing on direct community engagement beyond museum walls.  Grants are offered in amounts between $50,000 and $100,000. Funding for MCCA is provided through a partnership with the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

What are the goals of MCCA?

MCCA has two primary goals:

•  For Communities:  Through innovative museum exchanges, participants will identify stakeholders in the communities they serve and will work to meet their communities’ needs while broadening knowledge about and understanding of diverse cultures in communities in the US and abroad

•  For Museums and Related Arts Organizations:  Participants will develop replicable models for international collaborations that reach beyond museum walls to directly engage the public.

How is MCCA different from the International Partnerships Among Museums (IPAM) Program?

MCCA builds on the 25-year history of collaboration between Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and AAM on the International Partnerships Among Museums (IPAM) program.  However, this new program improves on IPAM in several important ways.

• MCCA grants extend exchange projects beyond the museums and into the communities.
• MCCA awards fewer grants, but they each provide far greater funding.
• MCCA projects create tangible outputs to engage audiences.
• MCCA allows museums to propose their own timeline, travel schedule, and budget.
• MCCA encourages the use of new media (blogs, streaming video, etc) to share project information.
• MCCA targets regions and communities that would benefit most from a better connection with, and understanding of, American people and culture.

How do I Submit a Proposal?

US museums submit proposals on behalf of the project team.  Proposals will not be accepted from non-US museums.

The application period for the current cycle of MCCA is now closed.  To be added to the mailing list for future cycles, email MCCA Staff.