The Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) today announced that it received a $2.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) in support of a groundbreaking transformation of its Gallery of California Natural Sciences and related programming. The NSF grant comes only weeks after the Museum announced new grants totaling $3.1 million in support of the museum-wide renovation, reinstallation, and development of related programming. With the new grant from NSF, OMCA has surpassed 95% of its capital campaign goal for the $58 million transformation project.

OMCA will use funds provided by the National Science Foundation to develop Hotspot California, a dynamic, participatory installation that redefines the educational potential of wildlife dioramas. Using visitor research and community participation, OMCA will repurpose the natural sciences dioramas through exhibits that encourage a compelling connection to place, an understanding of the issues facing the natural environment, and a sense of urgency for sustainability and conservation. The results of this research may serve as a model for the field at the national level. Implementation of these plans is also supported by the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation.

Several new grants support transformation efforts in other parts of the Museum. The National Endowment for the Humanities is supporting the reinstallation of the Gallery of California History and accompanying educational programs, including docent training on inquiry-based touring methods. The Institute of Museum and Library Services grant will allow OMCA to produce a focused series of public programs to broaden and deepen relationships with the Museum’s adult audiences. Through an Artistic Innovations Fund grant from The James Irvine Foundation, OMCA will explore ways to connect with its diverse visitorship through novel exhibition models, artist-led activities, and new technologies in the galleries and online.

The Oakland Museum of California is now closed to complete final construction on Phase I components. But behind closed doors, our staff is working harder than ever. As we prepare for the grand unveiling of our new Galleries of California Art and History in May 2010, OMCA is also launching the public phase of The Museum of California Campaign. Aided by the Kresge Foundation’s $1 million challenge grant, we’ll be calling on you to help us meet the final $5 million needed to complete the project. You, too, can be a part of the OMCA transformation!