A set of the original documents is retained by the Tyne & Wear Archives and Museum Service.

The collections are cared for by the University's Museum Services.

Opened in 1981, it became the Museum Service's headquarters.

But he said "we have no philosophical problem applying to Museum Services," whose funds come from the same Congressional subcommittee that controls the endowments' funds.

A third arts agency, the $28 million-a-year Institute for Museum Services, is probably safe from serious budget cutting.

The grants come from the Institute of Museum Services, a Federal agency that awards operating money to museums throughout the country.

"We look on the Institute of Museum Services as a completely separate organization," he said.

We had no philosophical problem applying for a grant from Museum Services.

The Institute of Museum Services awarded some $21 million in grants to museums last year.

From 1994 to 1999, the award was known as the National Award for Museum Service and given to museums only.