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Press Release
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Matt Montgomery
401/454-6793, mmontgom@risd.edu
The RISD Museum of Art Responds to Economic Downturn
Maintains Exhibition Schedule, Educational Programs, Public Service
Closes for Month of August
PROVIDENCE, RI—The RISD Museum of Art announces its response to the economic crisis and its impact on the institution. Due to a loss of endowment revenue, the Museum will implement several organizational changes including adjusted staff schedules and the elimination of some positions, and closing to the public during the month of August. Attrition due to voluntary retirements and the elimination of vacant positions reduced the number of layoffs. After careful consideration, it was determined that the closing in August will have the least impact on the public, academic, and school programs which are vital to the Museum’s educational mission. These cuts are necessary in order to meet a budget reduction while maintaining an outstanding exhibition schedule and superb educational programs. Administrative staff will be available during the month and risd/works will be open to the public during their regular open hours.
“RISD President John Maeda, the museum's Board of Governors and the Museum staff have worked diligently to ensure that we preserve the most important aspects of our mission to present thought-provoking exhibitions and educational programs for visitors of all ages,” said Hope Alswang, Director of the Museum.
Alswang pointed to recent successes as an opportunity for momentum in spite of this downturn. “We are so very lucky to have completed the Chace Center and the first phase of the Radeke Restoration project. With these significant accomplishments, we will move forward with positive resolve and passion for this exemplary museum,” she added.
The Museum’s free admission times will remain in effect for 6-9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, all day on the last Saturday of the month. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Pay-What-You-Wish.
The fall schedule includes a range of exhibitions. In late September the Museum will present an important installation by ceramic artist Arnie Zimmeman and architect Tiago Montepagado called Inner City. Also in the fall, associate curator Emily Peters has organized an exhibition on the history of engraving, Brilliant Line: Following the Early Modern Engraver, 1480-1650. The Museum will focus on the work of RISD faculty member and renowned photographer Joe Deal in a show of his works in the Bill and Nancy Tsiaras Photography Gallery in September.
The RISD Museum of Art, a world-class museum in Providence, RI, was founded as part of Rhode Island School of Design in 1877. Its permanent collection of more than 84,000 objects includes paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, costume, furniture, and other works of art from every part of the world, including objects from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and art of all periods from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, up to the latest in contemporary art. In addition, the Museum offers a wide array of educational and public programs to more than 100,000 visitors annually.
