ALLENTOWN, PA.- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G.Rendell today announced that the state is investing $6 million to support the Allentown Art Museum's multi-million-dollar expansion and modernization project.

The Governor added that, once completed, the museum will create an attraction that will improve the quality of life for local residents, draw visitors to the community, and spark additional economic activity.

"In every county across Pennsylvania, we're making crucial investments that are revitalizing our communities and improving the quality of life for our residents," said Governor Rendell. "By targeting the state's resources to our downtowns, we're helping to create new opportunities and injecting new life into the commonwealth's older neighborhoods.

"When the doors to this renovated cultural treasure open, the museum will provide local residents and students of all ages greater exposure to the arts. What's more, it will draw people into the community and spur economic activity downtown estimated at $5.1 million more each year."

Under the Art Museum's current plan, the facility will more than double in size from 41,000 square feet to 86,000 square feet. The additional space will help the museum better accommodate the growing number of visitors. In the last four years, the number of people passing through its doors has increased from 65,000 to 117,000 annually.

Other new amenities include a museum cafe, enlarged museum store and twice as much display space. Museum officials say the expanded area will provide a more inviting area in which to highlight the organization's more than 13,000 pieces, and facilitate better traffic flow.

For the last year, museum officials have conducted a capital campaign that has raised $9 million, with additional millions in outstanding requests to private sources. Beyond financing the construction and renovation activities, the organization also hopes to increase its endowment through the campaign.

Students of all ages will be better served thanks to the project. An auditorium will provide the Lehigh Valley with a new performing arts venue and allow the museum to partner with other organizations to offer educational workshops and seminars. A new art study room will also support college classes and local civics groups, while a new lounge will provide an inviting environment where visitors can enjoy the city's new Arts Park, which is currently under construction.