Small museums and heritage organisations across the state will benefit from Arts Tasmania's 2013 Small Museums and Collections Program.

The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Lara Giddings, today announced $39,200 in grants, as well as 147 days of Roving Curator time for groups in the South, North and North-West.

"Tasmania's small museums are the custodians of many fascinating stories about our state's heritage," Ms Giddings said.

"They showcases the unique qualities of Tasmania's regions, including our Indigenous cultures, maritime and military history, and the development of communities around local industry."

"These museums and collections are almost entirely run by volunteers so these grants are crucial in helping to preserve and interpret our history."

Ms Giddings said Arts Tasmania's Roving Curator Program helps to enhance the management of small museum and collections around the state.

"Together with the grants program, assistance provided by the Roving Curators greatly enhances the quality of information available about collections, and helps provide enriching experiences for visitors."

Successful recipients include:

• The Jack Mason Memorial Military Museum (Devonport RSL Sub-Branch Inc) has been allocated 17 days Roving Curator time to assess the museum's collection.

• The Design Forum Tasmania in Launceston has been funded $4 229 towards interpretative tools for the Tasmanian Wood Design Collection.

• TIAGARRA Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum in the Mersey Bluff area has been allocated 25 days Roving Curator time towards a Redevelopment Plan for the Tiagarra Tasmanian Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum.

• The Wilmot Museum on the North West has been funded $485 towards the purchase of archival materials and allocated 20 days Roving Curator time towards the Wilmot Museum Collection Management and Interpretation Plan project.

• The Kent Group Museum (Friends of Deal Island Wildcare Inc) in the South East has been allocated 15 days Roving Curator time towards the Kent Group Museum policy review and project.

• The Tasmania Fast Ferry Museum in the Greater Hobart area has been funded $1 180 towards the purchase of a collection management database and 12 days Roving Curator time towards the collection management of the Tasmanian Fast Ferry Museum's Collection and training for management and volunteers.

A full list of grants announced in the Small Museums and Collections Program is available on the Arts Tasmania website at http://www.arts.tas.gov.au/