The Westmoreland Museum of American Art Receives Grant from Henry Luce Foundation
Contact: Charlene Bidula, Manager of Communications
July 21, 2015
GREENSBURG, PA – The Westmoreland Museum of American Art is pleased to announce that the Directors of the Henry Luce Foundation have approved a one year grant of $150,000 to help reinstall the Museums American Art collection following its recent expansion and renovation.
Reopening to the public with a celebration on October 24 and 25, The Westmoreland Museum of American Art has renovated its original 30,000 square foot building and added an east wing of 13,287 square feet comprising new galleries, a community room and areas for educational programming. The effort to design and re-install the Museums art collection, which includes works recently gifted by Diana and Peter Jannetta and posthumously by Richard M. Scaife, will be led by Chief Curator Barbara Jones. Visitors who knew the Museum before will be amazed by the transformation of the collection.
“We are grateful to the Luce Foundation for this generous grant which will enable Barbaras vision for the visitors experience of our collection to be brought to life. The new galleries are stunning with an improved traffic flow, higher ceilings, natural light where possible and comfortable cork floors. Our collection has been prepared over the past two years for its reentry into the Museum and will be shown to its best effect in the new design,” says The Richard M. Scaife Director/CEO Judith OToole.
The grant reflects the goals of the Foundations American art program that has awarded more than $160 million to some 250 museums, universities and service organizations in 48 states and internationally.
“We recognize this project as a timely and valuable contribution to the study of American Art, and we are delighted to be able to offer support,” adds Michael Gilligan, President of the Henry Luce Foundation.
To learn more about The Westmoreland Museum of American Arts reopening, please visit thewestmoreland.org.
About The Westmoreland Museum of American Art
The Westmoreland Museum of American Art, located at 221 N. Main Street in Greensburg, PA, is currently undergoing a major renovation and expansion. The Museum is set to reopen during The Sky’s the Limit Grand Reopening Celebration October 24 and 25, 2015. The Westmoreland’s collections include works by major American artists from four centuries, including its newest collection of post-1950 artwork. As part of a multi-year business plan tied to the renovation and expansion project, the Museum has launched Imagine What’s Possible: The Westmoreland Capital and Endowment Campaign. To date, over $27.5 million has been raised towards the $38 million campaign goal. More information is available at thewestmoreland.org.
About the Henry Luce Foundation
Established in 1936 by Henry R. Luce, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Time Inc, the Luce Foundations mission is to bring important ideas to the center of American life, strengthen international understanding, and foster innovation and leadership in academic, policy, religious and art communities. Learn more at www.hluce.org