LAKELAND, Fla.,
July 14,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Anne
B. Kerr, President of Florida Southern
College, is proud to announce a historic transformational gift
to the Polk Museum of Art, through a generous donation from the
Nicholas and Ashley Barnett Foundation at GiveWell.
In tribute to Florida Southern
College and Museum Trustee Ashley
Gibson Barnett's deep
commitment to the arts, the Smithsonian-Affiliate museum
will be renamed The Ashley Gibson Barnett
Museum of Art (The AGB) at Florida Southern
College, effective July 13,
2024. This generous gift establishes an endowment to support
world-class exhibitions, operations, community art and educational
programs, expanding the Museum's engagement, accessibility, and
influence.
"As one of the founders of the Museum, I believe this gift
brings full circle Mr. George
Jenkin's donation of the property in 1966 for our museum
location. To have it now named by his grandson for his beloved
wife is a true testament to creating a legacy of support for the
arts in our community," said Dr. Sarah
McKay, Florida Southern College and Museum
Trustee Emerita.
Along with its signature exhibitions, like the recent
Rockwell/Wyeth, Rodin, and Degas shows,
the Museum will introduce new youth, adult,
family, and senior
programs, including art therapy and art wellness,
while remaining admission-free.
"Surprising Ashley with the naming of our community's esteemed
museum was a meaningful way to recognize her dedication to the arts
and their impact on our community," explained Nicholas Barnett. "The Ashley Gibson Barnett
Museum of Art will be a link between our
treasured past and an exciting, forward-thinking future for our community, and we are thrilled to
be a part of it."
The Museum is also home to the growing Florida Southern College Art History and Museum
Studies program, the only of its kind housed in a museum. The AGB
is thus uniquely positioned to offer unparalleled educational
opportunities. Additionally, through a three-decade
partnership with the Polk County
Public Schools over 5,000 fourth-grade students from the County enjoy
field trips to the Museum.
"We are profoundly grateful for this extraordinary gift from our
alumni, Nick and Ashley Barnett,"
said President Kerr. "This remarkable generosity ensures a
world-class future for our revered museum, leaving a legacy that
will inspire generations to come."
As a premier arts destination for Central Florida
for the past 58 years,
the Museum will continue to play a critical role in
attracting cultural tourists and serving as the area's only
community academic art museum. Recently, Ashley Gibson Barnett was appointed by the
Governor to the Florida Council on Arts and Culture which speaks to
her passion for expanding the influence of art museums in our State
and beyond.
"As we enter our exciting next chapter, our future has never
looked brighter," said Dr. H. Alexander
Rich, Executive Director and Chief Curator of The AGB. "This
incredible gift will enhance the Museum's capacity to deliver
outstanding exhibitions and extensive educational
programs, attract and retain top talent, and continue our abiding mission
to offer exceptional arts and arts education
experiences for every person who walks through our doors for
generations to come."
For more information about The Ashley
Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, upcoming
exhibitions, memberships, and programs, please visit
polkmuseumofart.org.
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SOURCE Florida Southern College