A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center

Program Opportunity Statement (Recommended 300 words or less) The inception of the A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center stemmed from the imperative to bridge ancestral pedagogy with contemporary scientific knowledge, yielding an educative and indispensable experience crucial for our historical and cultural comprehension. This grant opportunity addresses the recent acquisition of buildings by the Pueblo of Zuni from the Zuni Public School District (ZPSD), wherein the Museum has been selected to relocate to the former ZPSD Central Office. This transition necessitates financial assistance to establish a welcoming and enlightening ambiance, counteracting the neglect the area has endured since the school district's departure. The locality's present state, marked by graffiti and broken windows as expressions of community frustration, coupled with neglected landscaping, precipitates impending security concerns such as break-ins and pest infestations. Our proposed initiatives include the installation of artistic metal screens on windows, designed with emergency egress considerations, alongside the implementation of an advanced surveillance system to vigilantly monitor the premises and its environs. These additions are projected not only to safeguard the Museum, its staff, visitors, and assets, but also to contribute to the overall security of the neighborhood. In our novel setting, we are acutely attuned to the significance of language preservation, fueling our intent to cultivate a conducive learning environment and re-envision our exhibitions to facilitate intergenerational dialogues.