$5 Million in State Funding for Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum
$5 Million in State Funding for Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum
The Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum, the new name for the Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo, New York, received $5 million from New York state. Renovations and expansion is the goal. 7,000 objects are in the museum and the museum produces programs for the public to support the cultural interests of New Yorkers and all tourists. Traveling to Buffalo for wings, falls and art is a trip to remember, although we've never traveled to Buffalo, New York. Pablo Picasso:The Artist & His Models is exhibiting until February 19, 2017. The artist lived from 1881 until 1973. Work from the artists Georges Braque (French, 1882–1963), Salvador Dalà (Spanish, 1904–1989), Juan Gris (Spanish, 1887–1927), Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954), Georgia O’Keeffe (American, 1887–1986), and Morgan Russell (American, 1886–1953) are also exhibiting. Buffalo native Mr. Jeffrey Gundlach, chief executive officer and portfolio manager of Doubleline Capital donated $42.5 million to the art gallery located in Frederick Law Olmsted's Delaware Park.
Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973). Three Musicians, 1921. Oil on canvas, 80 1/2 × 74 1/8 inches (204.5 × 188.3 cm). Philadelphia Museum of Art; A. E. Gallatin Collection, 1952. 1952-61-96 © 2016 Succession Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.
Speaker Carl Heastie, Buffalo Assemblymembers Sean Ryan, Robin Schimminger and Crystal Peoples-Stokes sponsored the legislation in the New York State Assembly to give to the museum's $125 million private public partnership capital campaign.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, "Meaningful jobs are the magnet that has drawn people to Buffalo, and it's the arts and cultural institutions like the Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum that are the glue that will keep them here for years to come. I commend our Buffalo delegation - Assembly members Sean Ryan, Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Robin Schimminger - for embracing this challenge from the outset and for securing this investment in the city they love. I wish to express my gratitude to Jeffrey Gundlach for providing the impetus behind this significant public-private investment."
Assemblyman Sean Ryan said, "The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is an iconic part of Buffalo's cultural landscape. I was honored to work with Speaker Heastie and my colleagues to secure a $5 million investment from the State Assembly, which will help to finance an expansion and lead the museum into a new era. The expansion will enable the museum to exhibit greater portions of its collection, and allow many more visitors to experience the beauty and history of one of Buffalo's great institutions. I also want to thank Jeffrey Gundlach for his historic financial commitment to the museum, which sparked a remarkably successful capital campaign for the AK360 expansion project."
Assemblyman Robin Schimminger said, "Generations from now, people will still visit the Albright-Knox Art Gallery because of the investment we're making in it today. Other things will fade away, but the art this museum houses will remain. The Albright-Knox is one of the brightest gems in our community. It highlights some of the very best we offer in this region. It attracts people from all over the country, and in doing so, it highlights our Western New York home. For those of us who grew up going to the museum, and still visit it today, we know what a spectacular and special place it is. I am thrilled the New York State Assembly is committing $5 million to the museum in a matching donation along with other government entities. Thank you to investor and Buffalo native Jeffrey Gundlach, who, with his enormous contribution and generosity of spirit, is ensuring that this museum will be a part of our community for generations to come. It is a gift for us now, but more importantly, it is a gift for this region's future."
Assemblymember Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "This is very exciting news for Buffalo and for all those who have contributed to the rich heritage and culture of our city. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is a prized jewel of the Western New York community and the AK360 expansion project is a cornerstone of our mission to transform this region into a destination for all to enjoy. Mr. Gundlach's generosity will be an invaluable asset to these efforts and I want to thank him, as well as Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Gallery Director Janne Sirén, for sharing in this vision for our city and state and for his lifelong commitment to Buffalo."
Janne Sirén, Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery said "AK360 is a project of generational importance for our region and its residents, and we are delighted that the New York State Assembly has made this great investment in the success of this endeavor. I would like to thank Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymembers Sean Ryan, Crystal Peoples-Stokes, and Robin Schimminger, for their efforts in securing this funding, and for their continued support of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery."
Peggy Pierce Elfvin, Director thought of the exhibit with the help of Dr. Janne Sirén. Sirén and Godin-Spaulding Curator & Curator for the Collection Holly E. Hughes also helped put the exhibit in the museum. M&T Bank supports the exhibit with Ferrero USA Inc. and Fondazione Ferrero Onlus; Superior Group; The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Funds at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo; Amy and Harris Schwalb; Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP; C2 Paint; and by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
