The Chrysler Museum's Three-Part Capital Campaign Moves To Its Final Phase

A note from Director William Hennessey:

It’s not every day that a museum, particularly one the size of the Chrysler, announces a $45 million Capital Campaign. All of us see this effort as a once-in-a-lifetime chance to build on the Museum’s past decades of accomplishment and to position the Museum for even greater success in the years ahead.

Over the months staff and trustees have worked together to design a three-part effort that we believe will be transformational for Museum. Already, thanks to the quiet fundraising phase of the Campaign, we have created the new Chrysler Museum Glass Studio. Since its opening last November, the Studio has generated enormous excitement through a program of daily demonstrations, educational partnerships, visiting artist residencies, and classes for would-be glassmakers at all levels.

The second part of the Museum’s Campaign enabled us to strengthen our long-term financial foundation by putting in place dedicated endowments to support programs and operations. A remarkable anonymous gift has fully endowed the Chrysler’s free-to-all general admission policy, ensuring that access to the Museum and its programs will continue to be barrier free in perpetuity. New endowments also have enabled us to double the size of our curatorial department. The salaries of three of our four curators are now fully covered by income generated by dedicated endowments. Other endowments will support educational programs and special exhibitions.

Now it is time for us to turn our attention to the third and final component of our Campaign: the beautiful building that is our home.

The initial, quiet phase of our Campaign has been an enormous success. We have commitments in hand for nearly three-quarters of our total goal. Impressive as this is, we still will need help to meet our goal. In the months ahead we will be making our case to everyone who loves the Museum, asking them to make an investment in its future. We hope that will include you.

* * *

To learn more, contact Gayle Donovan, Development Office Manager, at (757) 333-6282.