Unalaska, AK – The Museum of the Aleutians has received a grant for $138,550 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The money will help pay for the redesign of the permanent galleries - a project that has been in the works since 2007. The new exhibition, called "The Aleutian Islands: Crossroads of the North Pacific," will focus on the culture and heritage of the Unangan and Aleut people.

Zoya Johnson, the museum's executive director, says that redesign should dramatically improve the museum.

"The museum will be completely different," she says. "Our goal is to tell the complete story of the Aleutian Islands and to make the museum a bit more visitor friendly."

The grant was awarded in the community engagement category. The Museum will be working closely with the Ounalashka Corporation and the Qawalangin Tribe on the project. Johnson also says that the museum has actively tried to engage Unalaska residents.

The Museum of the Aleutians will also be expected to contribute $366,050 as a condition for receiving the grant. The money will come from a combination of museum funds, community support, and outside funding.

The redesign project has also received funding from the Rasmussen foundation. Its proposed date of completion is 2011.