IMLS Terminates Federal Grant for Conservation of Iroquois Museum Artifacts

HOWES CAVE — The Iroquois Museum has been notified that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has terminated a previously awarded federal grant, citing that the project “no longer serves the interest of the United States.” The grant was part of a Save America’s Treasures collection award totaling $269,038, administered by the Greater Hudson Heritage Network (GHHN), with matching nonfederal funds bringing the total project cost to $538,398.

The competitive grant was intended to conserve 35 historically significant objects from 10 small and mid-size museums across New York State. The Iroquois Museum had been selected to receive a portion of the funds to restore two important works from its collection of contemporary Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) art.

“The Museum is deeply disappointed by the grant’s revocation and the rationale provided. The conservation of these artworks is critical to making them accessible for public exhibition and education. Thousands of visitors from across the country and around the world would have benefited from experiencing these works firsthand,” said Museum Director Steph Shultes. 

The two pieces slated for conservation are ceramic sculptures by the late Tammy Tarbell (1950–2021), a distinguished Mohawk artist of the Turtle Clan. Tarbell’s career spanned decades, and her work powerfully reflects the stories, traditions, and enduring spirit of the Haudenosaunee people. Her art has played a crucial role in redefining Mohawk artistic traditions and affirming cultural identity.

The sculptures, “Moon Phase” (1999) and “Untitled -91:68” (1990), exemplify Tarbell’s distinctive use of clay, a medium long embraced by Haudenosaunee artists for more than 3,000 years. “Moon Phase” draws on oral tradition where the moon holds cultural significance, while “Untitled -91:68” incorporates deerskin thongs and a pit-fired finish. In Kanien’kéha (Mohawk language), the word for clay pot evokes the image of a woman’s body—graceful and life-giving—mirroring the shapes captured in Tarbell’s work.

“Despite this setback, the Iroquois Museum remains steadfast in its mission to foster greater understanding of Iroquois culture through the lens of Iroquois art. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, donors, and community for their continued support,” Shultes said.