LOUISVILLE, KY (January 6, 2016) – The Speed Art Museum, which will reopen to the public on March 12, 2016 following a major expansion, announced a donor challenge match program as part of the museum’s Speed 365 public fundraising campaign. Donors giving to Speed 365 will see their gifts at any level doubled up to $500,000.
“With one simple text or online visit, the community can be part of the excitement leading up to the Speed’s grand reopening,” said Ghislain d’Humières, CEO of the Speed Art Museum. “This is a wonderful opportunity to take ownership of your Speed Art Museum, and essentially, double your gift in a meaningful way. Generous anonymous donors have challenged the community to match their $500,000 gift. We know our community will meet – and hopefully, exceed – that challenge. The Speed belongs to all and now is the time to be an active supporter.”
Donations of any amount to the Speed 365 campaign can be made via the Speed’s website,www.speedmuseum.org, or by texting Speed365 to 20222, where anyone can make a $10 donation at any time.
The Speed 365 campaign was launched in March 2015, a year ahead of the Speed’s reopening, to expand community and school outreach programs and to engage under-served populations. The Speed 365 campaign also provides infrastructure for a re-imagined interactive Art Sparks – a dynamic learning space for the young and old alike, as well as support for an increased number of regional, national, and international exhibitions, and the new cinema at the Speed.
“This is your museum, for your family, and your community,” added d’Humières. “Studies show that young people who are exposed to the arts have better academic results, better workforce opportunities and more civic engagement. Our educational outreach efforts support that and engage our audiences in exciting ways, and the funds raised help strengthen our conservation and programming efforts.”
“When the community steps up to grab ownership of their Speed, we are able to expand programs in ways that will benefit everyone, from the art savvy to the art curious, families, young professionals and entire communities,” said d’Humières.”This truly hits home that the new Speed belongs to all, as we re-open and showcase the Speed as the ultimate experience where art from the around the world invites and inspires people to experience the power of creativity.”
The Speed has been closed for three years for a major $60 million renovation and expansion that will double the square footage of the original museum. The Museum will be open to the public for 30 straight hours immediately following the ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on March 12, 2016, giving the community unprecedented access to the stunning new interiors, artwork and environment.
A look at the new Speed Art Museum
The new 62,500 sq. ft. North Building is largely transparent and will create one of the finest experiential art museums in the country. It will double the museum’s overall square footage and nearly triple the gallery space from the existing wing.
The expansion creates a new state-of-the-art space for larger special exhibitions, contemporary art galleries, a family education and welcome center, cinema, indoor/outdoor café, museum store, and a multifunctional Grand Hall for performances, lectures and entertaining. Additionally, the new Elizabeth P. and Frederick K. Cressman Art Park and public piazza will feature creative artworks created specifically for the Speed Museum, that will engage University of Louisville students and museum visitors alike. The Art Park will give the thousands of students who walk past the Speed each day on the adjoining UofL Belknap Campus the ability to mingle with great art, creativity and architecture.
The total expansion effort encompasses approximately 220,000 sq. ft., including 79,600 sq. ft. of renovation, 75,000 sq. ft. of new construction, and 135,000 sq. ft. of landscape improvements.
Internationally renowned museum designer Kulapat Yantrasast of Los Angeles-based wHY created the design in association with K. Norman Berry Associates of Louisville. Landscape architects Reed Hilderbrand from Boston designed the concept plan for the Museum’s setting along South Third Street on the northwest corner of the University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus and local Landscape Architects, Carmen and Associates designed the landscaping plan.
Louisville philanthropist Hattie Bishop Speed founded the Speed Art Museum in 1925 with a belief in the power of art to change people’s lives. The Speed’s first building was designed by Louisville-based architect Arthur Loomis and opened in 1927; new structures were added in 1957, 1972, 1983 and 1996. The renovated Speed will have a natural flow through the building with a 67% increase in space for special exhibitions.
About the Speed Art Museum
The Speed Art Museum is Kentucky’s largest art museum with a collection that spans 6,000 years of human creativity. An independent museum located on the campus of the University of Louisville, the Speed continues to play an important role in outreach initiatives, workshops, tours and art-related school programs. The Speed is currently closed and undergoing a multi-phase expansion and renovation that includes a new North and South Building, 142 seat cinema, Art Park and a public piazza. It will re-open on March 12, 2016. To view a virtual tour or for more information visitwww.speedmuseum.org.
