GWU starts museum program for Iraqis

The museum studies program at George Washington University is creating a residency program for museum workers in Iraq.

The program announced Thursday will bring museum professionals to Washington for a five-month residency. The residents will also visit museums in Virginia, New York and Philadelphia.

Kym Rice, the university's museum studies director, says participants will learn new techniques to conserve ancient objects of Iraqi culture and new ways to educate their constituents.

Rice says the Iraq war has prevented professional development for the country's cultural workers. Many museums had to close because of looting and conflict and are only recently reopening.

The U.S. State Department is funding the program.