Preserving and Protecting the Museo de Arte de Ponce Collection After Hurricane María

FAIN: PB-260686-18

Museo de Arte de Ponce (Ponce, PR 00717-0776)
Alejandra Peña-Gutiérrez (Project Director: November 2017 to May 2018)

Partially defraying the museum’s expenses for fuel and generator maintenance.

Hurricane María hit Puerto Rico in September 2017. Fortunately, the Museo de Arte de Ponce experienced no structural damage.  Because of the cleaning work undertaken by its staff, the museum was able to reopen to the public on Thursday, September 28th, with an activities program and free access for all visitors.  However, the situation poses a financial challenge to the institution.  The lack of power in the Ponce region after the hurricane left the museum using its power plant to maintain the collection in optimal conditions and avoid any potential damage.  Since weekly diesel costs amount to $23,690, this represents a substantial expense for the museum, as it was not considered in the present operational budget.  A Chairman’s Emergency Grant would help the museum to address such costs, and would enable the Museo de Arte de Ponce to continue offering its services to the community.