UTICA, NY.- Munson has launched Munson For All, its first-ever capital campaign with a goal of $9.5 million. The campaign will support transformative renovations to the 1960 Museum of Art building and expanded programming, plans that will inspire and enrich the Central New York community for generations to come.
Through its three program areas, the Museum of Art, School of Art, and Performing Arts, Munson engages more than 100,000 people with the arts each year. The planned renovations are aimed at expanding community access, capacity, and engagement.
“The Munson For All campaign enables us to build state-of-the-art amenities in the Museum, improve the visitor experience, contribute to the revitalization of downtown Utica, and do even more to cultivate the creative spirit of the greater Mohawk Valley,” says Munson President and CEO Anna D’Ambrosio.
Priority capital improvements include a revitalized Art Odyssey interactive gallery, a new Museum Cafe, an expanded Museum Shop, and upgraded facilities and building systems. Interior and exterior capital improvements, some of which are already underway, will make the Museum more inviting, welcoming, and accessible.
“At Munson, we believe that universal access to the arts makes us a stronger, smarter, kinder, and more inclusive community,” D’Ambrosio said.
The campaign will also include a Community Engagement fund to secure the future of vital free and low-cost programs such as Art Alive!, a free program offered during public school breaks, hosting hundreds of children and their caregivers for art-making activities and a family-friendly live performance. The Fund will also help support free programs for all ages throughout the year including special events, kids art classes, school tours, Art Story, and much more.
“Art is really important for young children. The earlier they're exposed to art, the more they're going to appreciate it for their lifetimes,” says Sheila Cuccaro, Munson For All co-chair. “If you come to Art Alive!, watch the children, and see the looks on their faces, they have so much joy. Supporting Munson For All will help us bring that joy to so many more children and families.”
Art Odyssey Interactive Gallery
Munson For All will enable Munson to move its interactive gallery, Art Odyssey, to a more central location, expand its footprint, and completely redesign its interactive stations. Instantly visible and enticing, it will sit adjacent to the Museum’s Genesee Street entrance. The redesigned space will include dynamic hands-on and digital activities directly linked to the collection and a comfortable reading area stocked with books.
Expanded Museum Shop
The campaign will enable Munson to combine its two retail operations—the Museum Shop and the School of Art Store—into one expanded experience. The shop will be located on the ground level next to the Museum’s parking lot entrance. The expanded and modernized shop will feature a diverse inventory of unique and curated gifts, work by regional artists, as well as high-end art supplies not found elsewhere in our community.
New Museum Cafe
A new cafe will open in the Root Court, serving gourmet coffees and light refreshments, while providing visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect, gather and discuss, or just enjoy relaxing in a stunning setting. The Cafe will also serve as a staging area for catered events, allowing the Museum to become one of the most beautiful event spaces in the Mohawk Valley.
Upgraded Facilities and Building Systems
The campaign will also renovate 1960s restrooms with updated, ADA-compliant facilities, improved ventilation, and widened doorways. It will modernize lighting controls and enhance the air handling system.
“The founding family of Munson believed that art is essential to communities and that it should be accessible to everyone,” says Chris Heilmann, chair of Munson’s Board of Trustees. “Now it's our turn to leave our legacy for future generations. Supporting the Munson For All campaign will make that a reality.”
