Otago Settlers Museum authorities are optimistic its application for a new Ministry of Education contract will be successful, but the museum faces growing competitive pressures over the education-related funding.
Museum director Linda Wigley told a recent museum board meeting an "excellent" application for a future Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom contract was prepared with the help of the museum's education officer, Sara Sinclair.
The existing ministry funding contract will end at the middle of next year.
The new three-year contract would cover the period when the museum would be "doing things differently" by making more use of outreach programmes, including the Gasworks Museum, the Port Chalmers Museum and the Dunedin Chinese Garden, Ms Wigley said.
Officials at the Dunedin City Council-owned settlers museum have explained that some parts of the museum will at times be closed temporarily as the institution's major redevelopment project continues.
It is due to be completed in 2012.
Overall funding for the education programme had not increased, but applications were rising.
Council city life general manager Graeme Hall was optimistic about gaining a further ministry contract.
But ministry funding limits and competitive pressures meant there was a risk one might not be obtained, he said.
