WASHINGTON – The Maine Indian Basketmakers Alliance will receive $150,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist in the marketing and sale of baskets through the Wabanaki Arts Center Gallery, according to U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

The grant funding, secured through HHS Administration for Native Americans, will help cover costs associated with a variety of marketing activities organized through the Wabanaki Arts Center Gallery, including the development of printed educational and Internet materials and mail order marketing. The grant also will assist in covering salaries for the center’s artist-in-residence program, where basket makers will give demonstrations to the public.