| Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center: Grand Opening |
| Regional News | ||
| Written by Ken Hamel | ||
| Tuesday, 24 July 2007 | ||
 Before the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center closed about a year ago as part of the their ambitious $28 Million expansion, I found myself making the trip south more regularly than expected. The Andy Warhol and Peter Max shows were certainly worth the trip, and I even ventured down to check out the Annie Liebowitz photographs at their temporary space in downtown CS.But there hasn't really been anything of note at the temporary space, at least nothing worth 90 minutes in the car (and a stint in the heart of the religious right)... at least until now. We're coming up on the museum's Extremely Grand Opening which will feature a variety of events spread out over 4 days, with the museum opening for general admission on August 4th 2007. While there are a variety of events planned as part of the opening festivities, including appearences by cult filmmaker John Waters and theater luminary Joel Grey, I am looking forward to seeing the opening exhibit The Eclectic Eye: Pop and Illusion, a major exhibition of works from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation featuring artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Ed Ruscha, David Hockney, Keith Haring, Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning, Duane Hanson, and Henry Moore. 
The calandar of grand opening events can be found at:
http://www.csfineartscenter.org/GrandOpeningEvents.aspFrom the FAC website: On January 19, 2006, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (FAC) Board of Trustees announced publicly a $28.4 million capital campaign to renovate and expand its facilities. The FAC is home to the
“This project is as historic as the FAC’s beginnings in 1936,” said New features will include a permanent collections wing and a traveling exhibition wing, events spaces, an expanded museum shop, theatre restorations, a dedicated rehearsal studio, a new education wing featuring five studios and extensive technology upgrades.
“Looking ahead, the Fine
Arts Center will be the premier museum and arts education facility in
the region,” said volunteer Campaign Co-Chair,
“The expansion will be a strong architectural complement to the existing John Gaw Meem building,” said
Contracted by G.E. Johnson, the project began in March 2006 with construction on a rehearsal theatre and new studios in the northwest portion of the property, slated to open in December. In May, demolition and construction of the 1970’s era galleries commenced. The project is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2007.
“As
citizens, we have the opportunity - and the responsibility to make this
magnificent treasure a relevant, resonate and indispensable component
of our civic intellect and soul for generations to come,” said
volunteer Campaign Co-Chair, In addition to the $28.4 million goal for renovation and new construction, the FAC aims to raise $10 million in endowment gifts (namely through planned gifts) and $5 million worth of gifts of art donated for the permanent collection. The comprehensive goal of the "Renaissance Campaign" is $43.4 million. During construction, the FAC continues to host a full exhibition schedule at its new satellite location, the FAC MODERN, downtown in Plaza of the Rockies. Theatre performances continue as scheduled in the SaGāJi Theatre at the Fine Arts Center Main (30 West Dale Street). In November 2005, the Museum Acquisitions Committee and the Board of Trustees approved a $1 million purchase of historic Chihuly glass valued at $1.4 million. The Chihuly glass collection will be a part of the FAC’s permanent collection and will be exhibited alongside the FAC’s collection of Native American baskets and blankets.
“Dale Chihuly’s early work was inspired by Native American baskets and blankets,” said The Fine Arts Center is a privately funded, non-profit art museum, performing arts theatre and arts education center. At this point, the FAC receives no operational or programmatic funding from local or state government. |
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