MUSEUM LAUNCHES TWO FUND
RAISING EFFORTS
Cadiz, KY—Visitors to the
Janice Mason Art Museum often comment on the beauty of the building, and
how well it has adapted to become a top-notch gallery. But
currently,
there is only one working toilet in the building, the ramp for strollers
and wheelchairs is quite steep and enters through the freight entrance,
and anyone with limited abilities is unable to take classes because they
are not able to get to the basement.
For the past couple of
years, the momentum among the Museum’s Board of Directors and staff has
been growing to upgrade the building, making it universally accessible
upstairs and downstairs in the education area. So at its November meeting,
the Board voted to focus on the building fund in earnest.
The Museum
is applying for a federal grant; and must come up with $40,000 in matching
funds. Beginning immediately, the antique mail boxes will be offered for
“sale.” For $500, $1,000, or $1,500 a family or business can reclaim its
old mailbox number, or adopt a completely new one. New lighting will be
added to highlight these beautiful old boxes, and each will be outfitted
with a plaque bearing family or business name and box number. The boxes
will become a permanent display in the gallery lobby. As an added bonus,
each box “purchase” comes with a complimentary one-year membership at the
$100 level.
“We
believe this fund-raiser will be successful,” said Vicki Karrigan, Board
President. “We’ve had several people express interest when we’ve
mentioned selling naming rights to the boxes. What a great way to honor
your parents or grandparents, or leave something for your children and
grandchildren. It’s also a prominent way for businesses to show support
for the arts and community. And we really need to upgrade the building to
provide an even better facility in the future.”
The Board
of Directors also set the goal of doubling Museum membership by the end of
2006. The membership drive is held annually at this time of year to
allow donors to get the last-minute tax deduction. The majority of the
Museum’s operating dollars come from memberships and donations. “We do
get up to ten percent of our annual operating budget from the State, in
the form of a grant for which we have to reapply each year,” said Museum
Administrator Paula Lisowsky. “That amount almost covers our utility
bills,” she quipped. Museum memberships begin at $35 for individuals and
$60 for families. For details on member benefits, check the Museum’s
website at
www.jmam.org or call the Museum at 270 522 9056. Museum hours are
Tuesday – Saturday, 10 AM to 4 PM, and 1 PM – 4 PM on Sundays.
The Kentucky Arts
Council, a state agency in the Commerce Cabinet, provides operational
support funding for the Janice Mason Art Museum with state tax dollars and
federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes
that a great nation deserves great art.
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