ROCKLAND — The William A. Farnsworth Museum and Library has received notice that it is one of 10 museums in Maine to receive a General Operating Support grant from the Federal Institute of Museum Services. The Farnsworth Museum and the Museum of Art at Bates College are the only art museums in the state to receive the awards. IMS received 1,428 applications and made 443 awards.

This is the fourth consecutive year the Farnsworth has received an IMS award. The 1992-93 grant is for $61,426, the largest grant in the museum’s history.

Museum Director Chris Crosman said, “We can’t help but feel that this consistent recognition by this highly respected agency affirms the professional commitment of our board and staff to fulfill the long-range plan and mission of the Farnsworth to be among the finest regional museums in the nation.

“Because current museum exhibition space limits us to showing less than 1 percent of our permanent collection, many people are not aware that the Farnsworth has one of New England’s most comprehensive collections of American art with a special emphasis on Maine artists.”