Arts Center Receives Federal Funding Through SAT Grant
CLAYTON, NY (September 15, 2025) – The Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum is thrilled to announce that they have been selected to receive $227,626 in federal funding through the Save America’s Treasures (SAT) Grant Program. Funds are being awarded in support of the conservation of their Handweaving Collection.
The federal funds, awarded by the National Park Service, will support the construction of their new building at 321 James Street, including a new and accessible home for the Handweaving Museum. Grant funds will support the installation of exterior and interior envelopes and finishes and the purchase of museum-quality storage solutions.
“Being selected for this prestigious and competitive grant is a powerful testament to the national significance of our collection and the lasting value of the Arts Center to our community,” said Executive Director Sarah Riddoch. “This funding ensures we can continue to be a vital resource for 20th-century handweavers for years to come, solidifying our positive impact and longevity.”
The SAT grant program is dedicated to preserving and conserving nationally significant structures and collections. The Handweaving Museum is one of the most valuable resources of 20th-century handweavers in the country, composed predominantly of well-known weavers including Berta Frey, Elmer Hickman, Mary Meigs Atwater, and Marguerite Porter Davison. These weavers, and many more in our collection, were instrumental in keeping the craft of handweaving alive at a time when textile production was moving towards large-scale mechanized technologies.
In parallel with the construction, Assistant Director & Curator Marina Loew and a dedicated team of volunteers will be preparing the collection for its new home. This crucial work includes a comprehensive review of the current condition of each piece, assessing any restoration needs, and updating its physical housing to ensure its long-term preservation. This dual focus on building infrastructure and curatorial care underscores our commitment to protecting this valuable national collection.
The Save America’s Treasures grant program was established in 1998 to celebrate America’s premier cultural resources in the new millennium. After more than 20 years, this grant program has awarded over 1,300 grants totaling more than $300 million to projects across the United States. Annually, 4,000-plus applications request approximately $1.5 billion in funding in support of nationally significant historic properties and collections that convey our nation’s rich heritage to future generations.
The National Park Service administers Save America’s Treasures grants in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
