Mooseville Art Museum - March 21, 2013 (photo by Gertie Images)
With the help of a large donation from an anonymous donor the Mooseville Art Museum is closing its doors for the first time in its history to undergo renovations that will take nearly a month to complete.
"It just showed up in the mail. Cash money," said Anna Curator, head of development for MAM. "It was weird cause we never get mail."
Curator says the donation came with instructions requesting the museum either spend the money on renovations or sell to make room for something more useful.
"We've got prime real estate in Mooseville," Curator said. "It's a perk from being here so long. We have had our fair share of offers."
In the last year alone the museum has received offers from five investment groups, all with the intentions of repurposing the land.
"Two wanted to build a casino," Curator said. "Then there was a water park, a harmonica museum, and then Big Lots."
Despite the offers from private developers, Curator says the museum would only consider selling if they had no choice.
"We're not given in that easy," Curator said. "The MAM board of directors is 100% united on this."
Dot Jensen, who has served on the MAM board since its opening, agrees with Curator.
"As long as I'm alive, this museum will not be turned into a casino," Jensen said. "Art is essential for a civilized society, and bringing in Kitty Glitter machines and Black Jack tables would be doing Mooseville a great disservice."
For now the museum doesn't have to worry about selling though their future and the identity of their generous donor still remain a mystery.
"We may never know who sent it," Curator said. "But we're going to try to make the most of it."
The museum is scheduled to reopen to the public on April 15.
Story by: Staff Ryder
"It just showed up in the mail. Cash money," said Anna Curator, head of development for MAM. "It was weird cause we never get mail."
Curator says the donation came with instructions requesting the museum either spend the money on renovations or sell to make room for something more useful.
"We've got prime real estate in Mooseville," Curator said. "It's a perk from being here so long. We have had our fair share of offers."
In the last year alone the museum has received offers from five investment groups, all with the intentions of repurposing the land.
"Two wanted to build a casino," Curator said. "Then there was a water park, a harmonica museum, and then Big Lots."
Despite the offers from private developers, Curator says the museum would only consider selling if they had no choice.
"We're not given in that easy," Curator said. "The MAM board of directors is 100% united on this."
Dot Jensen, who has served on the MAM board since its opening, agrees with Curator.
"As long as I'm alive, this museum will not be turned into a casino," Jensen said. "Art is essential for a civilized society, and bringing in Kitty Glitter machines and Black Jack tables would be doing Mooseville a great disservice."
For now the museum doesn't have to worry about selling though their future and the identity of their generous donor still remain a mystery.
"We may never know who sent it," Curator said. "But we're going to try to make the most of it."
The museum is scheduled to reopen to the public on April 15.
Story by: Staff Ryder
