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DC City Council approves $40 million for Corcoran Expansion and Restoration Spring/Summer 2006–Spring, 2009
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The Corcoran Moves Ahead in an Exciting Period of Growth, Consolidation and Commitment to Community Washington, DC - The Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art announced today that the Council of the District of Columbia voted yesterday to authorize $40 million in tax increment financing (TIF) in the form of a Note to support the future growth of Washington’s oldest museum and only college of art and design. Plans include the renovation of the museum’s historic 1897 structure, the construction of a new wing designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and the revitalization of the former Randall School in Southwest Washington. “We are deeply gratified that the city, through this strong vote of confidence, has demonstrated its commitment to supporting the cultural heritage and future of Washington,” said Otto Ruesch, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “I believe the breathtaking Gehry wing will number among the Corcoran’s most glorious achievements and promises to become one of Washington’s dramatic visual icons. We will now be able to contribute even more effectively to the vision we all share for our city as one of the world’s greatest cultural destinations.” “This enlightened support is a dramatic milestone in the Corcoran’s fund-raising Campaign, which has now reached $106 million,” said trustee and campaign co-chair Til Hazel. “ The economic and cultural benefits to our city that will come as a direct result of this civic act by our elected officials will be significant and have long-term impact.” An economic impact assessment by Dr. Stephen Fuller, Dwight Schar Faculty Chair and Director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University’s School of Public Policy, documented and analyzed the many economic benefits that will result from the Corcoran’s expansion and the creation of a Frank Gehry building in Washington. Overall, these represent an increase in jobs, visitors and tax revenues, totaling $102.5 million over twenty years. Corcoran President and Director, David C. Levy, notes that the recent support for the arts by the mayor and the D.C. Council brings Washington into the mainstream of many other innovative American cities. “Support of the arts is a mark of a city’s maturity, providing intellectual sustenance for its citizens,” says Levy. “But beyond that such support helps to build important artistic magnets, drawing new visitors and profoundly enhancing a city’s economy. There are few places where this principle is more evident than Washington, where the arts and culture have been vital to the economy and long-term growth for three quarters of a century. As with many other cities, to name a few, Minneapolis, Denver, Phoenix, Baltimore, Detroit, Richmond and of course New York and Los Angeles, our city has accepted its responsibility to stimulate growth and energy by funding its cultural base. Our Frank Gehry building will become an important new landmark in this effort – both literally and figuratively. The partnership between the city and the Corcoran represented by this TIF is an act of civic responsibility and a gift to future generations of Americans and to visitors from every land.” ABOUT THE CORCORAN GALLERY OF ART Founded in 1890, the Corcoran College of Art + Design is Washington’s only 4-year college of art and design. It offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree program in Fine Art (painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics and digital art), Graphic Design, Digital Media Design, Photography and Photojournalism; a two-year Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degree program in Fine Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Interior Design and Digital Media Design, a Masters of Arts (MA) degree in Interior Design, Teaching and Education, as well as a 5 year combined BFA/MA in Teaching; and a Continuing Education Program encompassing more than 250 courses and seven certificate programs aimed at meeting the needs of part-time adult students; as well as year-round classes designed especially for children and teens. The Continuing Education Program, which offers part-time credit and non-credit classes for children and adults, draws more than 3,500 participants each year. The Corcoran Gallery of Art is located at New York Avenue and 17th Street, NW, Washington,DC, and is open every day, except Tuesday, 10 am – 5 pm and until 9 pm on Thursday. The museum is closed every Tuesday. A satellite educational facility is located at the Corcoran’s historic Fillmore School in Georgetown at 1801 35th Street, NW. The public information line for the museum is 202.639.1700. :: View images and further details from this exhibition
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