The Cleveland Museum of Art Receives $5 Million Grant
CLEVELAND (Dec. 14, 2004) — The Cleveland Museum of Art Director Katharine Lee Reid today announced the receipt of a $5 million grant from the George Gund Foundation for the Museum’s $225 million renovation, repair and expansion project.
“This grant not only indicates a tremendous vote of confidence from the trustees of the Gund Foundation,” Reid said, “but it also marks another significant investment in this City. We are extremely grateful to the Foundation for its support and vision.”
Gund Foundation trustees approved the grant at their Dec. 9 quarterly meeting. According to Gund Foundation Executive Director David T. Abbott, “The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of the nation’s finest comprehensive collections of art. We are privileged to have an institution of such high caliber in our own community. Through the years, the Museum has provided a cultural, artistic and educational bridge that engages the entire community. When completed,” Abbott added, “the new Museum will broaden its capacity to serve and uplift the Cleveland community, heightening its role as a model for other Museums in the U.S. and abroad.”
Reid also noted that although the Museum remains in the silent phase of its campaign, the grant announcement honors the Foundation’s tradition of announcing its gifts to the public. Only two major grants have been publicly announced: a $2 million grant from the Cleveland Foundation in Sept. and $5 million from the State of Ohio, which was announced in 2002. While the Museum has not yet publicly announced details of the campaign, Reid shared that, “we are encouraged and increasingly building momentum.”
The Cleveland Museum of Art is one of America’s leading comprehensive museums. Its permanent collection is world renowned for its quality and breadth, spanning 6,000 years. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship and art acquisitions. For more information on the museum, its holdings, programs, services and events, call 1–888-CMA-0033 or visit www.clevelandart.org
The George Gund Foundation was established in 1952 by George Gund, former chairman of the Cleveland Trust Company. The Foundation funds programs that enhance the understanding of the physical and social environment in which we live and increase our ability to cope with its changing requirements. Grants are made quarterly in the areas of education, human services, economic and community development environment and arts. Foundation commitments since its founding total more than $436 million.