The Blanes Museum in Montevideo has completed restoration work funded by a $250,000 grant from the United States. The funds were provided through the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation, a program established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 and managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the Department of State.
Ambassador Heide Fulton, Montevideo Mayor Carolina Cosse, and Museum Director Cristina Bausero recently toured the restored areas, which included work on the museum's central access, main facade, and terraces.
“A living testament to Uruguay’s rich history and vibrant culture. On behalf of the United States government, I want to express my sincere thanks and congratulations to all involved in this important restoration and reopening project,” said Ambassador Fulton after touring the Museum.
In early 2021, cultural institutions across Uruguay were invited by the U.S. Embassy to apply for support from this fund. The Blanes Museum's proposal was selected as one of 32 projects worldwide after a competitive application process open to all U.S. embassies and their local partners. In Latin America, seven countries received funding, with Blanes Museum obtaining one of the largest grants.
The building housing the Blanes Museum is recognized as a National Historic Monument in Uruguay. This is not the first time Uruguayan organizations have benefited from this program; in 2012, the National Archives of Uruguay received $15,000 for conserving historical documents.
Since its inception, the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation has supported over a thousand projects across about one hundred countries.