CORNING. NY.- The Rockwell Museum has received a $3 million gift from Rochester-based philanthropist Mary Spurrier, marking the most significant cash contribution in the Museum’s history and providing transformative support for its long-term strategic vision.
The gift will help The Rockwell reframe what an American art museum can be for the next generation—expanding access, deepening community connection, and advancing exhibitions, collections, and programs that reflect the complexity and richness of American storytelling. Spurrier’s support comes at a pivotal moment as the Museum celebrates its 50th anniversary throughout 2026 and launches a new era of institutional growth guided by a newly adopted strategic plan, Framing the Future: The Rockwell at 50 and Beyond.
“We are profoundly grateful to Mary Spurrier for her extraordinary generosity and for the trust she has placed in our vision,” said Erin M. Coe, executive director of The Rockwell Museum. “This transformative gift allows us to reframe how we serve our community, creating spaces and experiences that are welcoming, enlightening, and connected to the lives of our visitors. As we mark this milestone moment in the Museum’s history, her support positions The Rockwell to move forward with clarity, purpose, and ambition.”
For Spurrier, philanthropy is about courage, making vision visible, and meaningful change. A strong advocate for women and the arts, she hopes her gift will set a precedent and galvanize others to invest in The Rockwell Museum at this pivotal moment in its history.
“I was drawn to The Rockwell Museum because it refuses to stand still,” said Mary Spurrier. “It continues to evolve by listening to its community and bravely expanding whose stories are told. This moment feels less like a celebration of the past and more like a call to build a bright and bold future together.”
Spurrier’s $3 million gift will play a central role in the Museum’s 50th anniversary exhibitions supporting Native Now: Contemporary Indigenous Art at The Rockwell Museum (Jan. 24–May 4, 2026) and Gateways: African American Art from the Key Collection (May 23–Aug. 17, 2026). Her gift also underwrites the commission of an original tapestry by acclaimed Diné (Navajo) textile artist D.Y. Begay, to be unveiled in fall 2026.
Spurrier has been an engaged supporter of The Rockwell for several years, with a recent prior gift funding critical accessibility and infrastructure improvements. With this support, Spurrier enabled the completion of a new all-gender, fully accessible restroom equipped with an adult-sized changing table for individuals of all ages, along with significant upgrades to existing restrooms. These enhancements reflect the Museum’s commitment to ensuring that all visitors feel welcomed and supported.
In addition, Spurrier has also played a key role in advancing The Rockwell’s leadership in the presentation, study, and stewardship of contemporary art with an emphasis on Native American art. In 2025, the Museum welcomed its inaugural Mary Spurrier Fellow in Native American Art, Abby Mikalauskas, whose research of Indigenous material in the collection added missing details about beadwork, painted hides, and the Great Plains communities who made them in the nineteenth century. Thanks to this groundwork and Spurrier’s continued support, this fellowship will continue into the future.
Her philanthropy has further strengthened the Museum’s permanent collection, including the recent acquisition of two mixed media works of art: Lone Ranger and Tonto with Buffalo Bill and Sitting Bull by Sarah Sense (Chitimacha/Choctaw, b. 1980) and Time Will Tell by Samuel Levi Jones (American, b. 1978).
Joy Macafee, president of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, emphasized the importance of philanthropic leadership, noting that “Mary Spurrier’s generosity empowers The Rockwell to transform its vision into reality. Her commitment strengthens our ability to carry out our visitor-centered strategic plan and better serve our community.”
The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, engages people with American art through diverse perspectives and illuminating experiences that foster curiosity, dialogue, and connection.
Founded in 1976, the Museum’s collection numbers nearly 3,000 objects and includes strengths in contemporary and historic Native American art, nineteenth-century landscape paintings, traditional bronze sculptures, and a growing collection of modern and contemporary art. Housed in Corning’s former historic City Hall, The Rockwell is an active cultural hub and a unique place where locals and travelers alike connect with art and ideas through a dynamic roster of exhibitions, programs and events. The Museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
The Rockwell Museum (111 Cedar Street) is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Museum’s campus includes the KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, featuring family-friendly activities, games and hands-on projects connected to exciting special exhibitions and the Museum’s collection of American artworks. The Art Lab is located around the corner at 36 E. Market Street and is open Thursday through Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the fall/winter season. One ticket provides access to both Rockwell locations.
