FW Museum of Art Receives $750K Grant

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art announced that The Madge Rothschild Foundation has awarded a $750,000 grant in support of the Museum’s American Art Initiative Capital Campaign. This gift will put the Museum even closer to meeting its $7.5 million goal for its capital campaign.

Ms. Rothschild was a renowned and active philanthropist in Fort Wayne until her death in 2005. The members of the Foundation were unanimous in expressing their support for the Fort Wayne Museum of Art as a critical player in the cultural life and offerings in the community. The Foundation’s commitment to the Museum’s campaign at this level was consistent with what Ms. Rothschild likely would consider as appropriate for the future of the Museum and its mission.

Executive Director Charles A. Shepard III responded, “We are so appreciative of this extremely generous gift from the Rothschild Foundation. In honor of Madge Rothschild, the Museum will name our newly redesigned atrium after her”.

The Museum recently began construction of the new facilities, starting with the addition of 10,000 square feet of new gallery space. After the addition is complete, current galleries will close for remodeling. The project will reconfigure all of the Museum’s space to facilitate better visitor service, greater accessibility and more programming. A new café, museum shop and the new Madge Rothschild Atrium will create a new downtown destination, providing an amenable spot for visitors to shop, relax and meet friends.The new facilities are expected to be open by early 2010.

The expansion project will also help the Museum fill gaps in its permanent collection of American art, through support for future acquisitions and gallery space for additional exhibitions. Through the $750,000 donation from the Madge Rothschild Foundation, the atrium will become a new cultural hub in the revitalization of downtown Fort Wayne.