News, In the News | November 2011
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette campaign nets $1.6M
Art Museum of Greater Lafayette campaign nets $1.6M
TIM BROUK, Journal and Courier, October 5, 2011
The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette has strengthened its foundation to the pretty picture of almost $1.6 million.
In a little more than two years, the museum's Centennial Campaign has raised $1,578,178, most of it from local, private donations.
"The contributions were from the Greater Lafayette area from people very familiar with the museum that recognize its value to the community," said campaign co-chairman Jim Shook. "(Fellow campaign co-chair) Jim Risk and myself were overwhelmed by the favorable response. It was a wonderful experience."
The money will go to the museum's foundation fund, which will be funneled into the annual budget for building maintenance, conservation of art work, continued art acquisition, classroom needs, workshops, scholarships and facility upgrades.
It will be controlled by the museum's foundation board.
The Centennial Campaign started with $500,000 when the campaign was announced on June 12, 2009, the museum's 100th year. The campaign reached the $1 million mark less than a year later. A new goal of $1.3 million was set in 2010. Completion of the campaign was announced this past Monday.
The sum is impressive but the most surprising part of it was that it was established at a time when the economy was in the cellar.
Shook said the museum needed "long-range viability" and a boost to its foundation money.
Established in 1909, the art museum is worth every penny raised, Shook believes.
"It's proven its worth through the years, and it is an essential part of the arts community," he said. "What would we do without an art museum?"