Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation
Since its creation by the U.S. Congress in 2001, the Ambassadors Fund has provided direct grant support for more than 550 cultural preservation projects in more than 100 countries. This accomplishment, now 10 years in the making, represents a contribution of more than $20 million towards the preservation of cultural heritage worldwide. More importantly, it shows the depth of our nation’s respect for the cultural heritage of other countries.
The Fund supports a wide range of projects to preserve cultural heritage, such as technical support for the restoration of historic buildings, assessment and conservation of museum collections, archaeological site preservation, documentation to save threatened traditional crafts, improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts, and documentation of indigenous languages.
In 2009, U.S. ambassadors in more than 90 countries around the globe applied to the Fund on behalf of partner institutions and organizations for support in meeting pressing cultural preservation needs. Among those receiving grants in 2009 are the Arts Council of Mongolia, for the preservation of the 18th-century Amarbayasgalant Monastery; the National Academy of Science in the Ukraine, for the preservation of the papers of the 19th-century Ukrainian writer Taras Shevchenko; and Bantou International for the documentation of Cameroonian Baka Dance.
In Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust received a grant to restore the Patan Royal Palace, one of South Asia’s most intact historic urban royal complexes. Part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, the palace dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, a period in the reign of the medieval Malla dynasty. This partnership-based project will foster increased understanding between cultures, support the creation of a world-class institution for furthering knowledge of Nepalese culture, provide local training and education, and contribute to the economic development of the region.
By supporting the preservation of these and other special sites, objects, and traditions, the Ambassadors Fund helps extend their value as vital, defining elements of communities and nations and ensures their continued use, enjoyment, and relevance both today and beyond.
Details on and photographs from projects supported by the Fund may be found in the Searchable Project List. Illustrated Annual Reports, found through the links shown here, provide additional information on the Program.
The Fund supports a wide range of projects to preserve cultural heritage, such as technical support for the restoration of historic buildings, assessment and conservation of museum collections, archaeological site preservation, documentation to save threatened traditional crafts, improved storage conditions for archives and manuscripts, and documentation of indigenous languages.
In 2009, U.S. ambassadors in more than 90 countries around the globe applied to the Fund on behalf of partner institutions and organizations for support in meeting pressing cultural preservation needs. Among those receiving grants in 2009 are the Arts Council of Mongolia, for the preservation of the 18th-century Amarbayasgalant Monastery; the National Academy of Science in the Ukraine, for the preservation of the papers of the 19th-century Ukrainian writer Taras Shevchenko; and Bantou International for the documentation of Cameroonian Baka Dance.
In Nepal, the Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust received a grant to restore the Patan Royal Palace, one of South Asia’s most intact historic urban royal complexes. Part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site, the palace dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, a period in the reign of the medieval Malla dynasty. This partnership-based project will foster increased understanding between cultures, support the creation of a world-class institution for furthering knowledge of Nepalese culture, provide local training and education, and contribute to the economic development of the region.
By supporting the preservation of these and other special sites, objects, and traditions, the Ambassadors Fund helps extend their value as vital, defining elements of communities and nations and ensures their continued use, enjoyment, and relevance both today and beyond.
Details on and photographs from projects supported by the Fund may be found in the Searchable Project List. Illustrated Annual Reports, found through the links shown here, provide additional information on the Program.