British Museum Secures £30 Million Gift For Masterplan

(MENAFN- USA Art News) The British Museum in London announced a £30 million ($40 million) donation from a long-term patron on October 17, according to Artnet News. This contribution is designated for the institution's comprehensive Masterplan redevelopment. The identity of the donor has not been disclosed.

The £1 billion Masterplan project represents one of the most extensive overhauls in the museum's history. A central component of this initiative involves redesigning the museum's Western Range galleries, a project led by Lebanese-born architect Lina Ghotmeh. The plan also includes a new energy center program aimed at transitioning from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy sources.

Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, stated that the gift“represents a significant moment in our plans for the Museum's future.” He further commented,“At the heart of everything we do is our ambition to make the British Museum more welcoming, and inspiring for everyone, and this gift is a huge vote of confidence in that vision.” Cullinan shared news of the donation at the second annual British Museum Ball, which functioned as a fundraiser for the Masterplan.

British artist and stage designer Es Devlin served as the artistic director for the ball. The museum's website indicated that this year's event was influenced by the“once-in-a-millennium loan of the Bayeux Tapestry from France, a special display marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, and a landmark exhibition exploring 2,000 years of Korean creativity.”

Haitian musician Wyclef Jean was the headlining performer at the ball, which drew over 800 attendees from the fields of art, fashion, music, and culture. Tickets for the event were priced at £3,500 ($4,700), including a donation. Protests reportedly erupted outside the museum on the night of the ball, advocating for the institution to sever ties with oil companies and tech billionaires, according to The Art Newspaper.

We previously reported:

The British Museum received a £30 million ($40 million) donation for its £1 billion“Masterplan” to redevelop its Western Range galleries.

Source: Artforum

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