Update: American Folk Art Museum

After posting a few weeks back on the troubles of the American Folk Art Museum from press reports on its financial issues, lack of cash flow and impending closing and transferring of artifacts (click HERE to read the original post), fellow appraiser Marcy Molinaro sent me the following notice to members and friends of the museum stating that despite reports, there have been no decisions to dissolve the museum or to transfer the collections to other institutions.

The trade reports have painted a very dire picture for the continued operations of the American Folk Art Museum.  Hopefully museum staff, benefactors and supporters can find a way out of their financial difficulties and continue operations.

As you can see from the letter below, the museum is open and running exhibitions.

Linda Dunne, the acting director writes

Dear Members and Friends,

The American Folk Art Museum is pleased to be continuing operations at 2 Lincoln Square, located on Columbus Avenue at 66th Street. We urge our members and friends to visit the current exhibition, Super Stars: Quilts from the American Folk Art Museum, which is on view through December. Please explore the website for information about the exhibition and about:

• Our renowned collection
• Gallery tours and other free programming
• Online shopping and our retail store
• Our traveling exhibition, Kaleidoscope Quilts: The Art of Paula Nadelstern, currently on view at the Akron Art Museum in Ohio and traveling to Massachusetts next year.

We welcome the demonstration of your support, including through your charitable contributions.

We are aware of recent reports in the media about the future of the Museum. There has been no decision to dissolve the Museum or transfer its collection to another institution. Like any institution, the Museum is actively engaged in planning for its future and is considering a variety of alternatives, all aimed at the paramount objective of preserving its collection for the benefit of the public. If the planning process results in a new direction or structure for the Museum, a public announcement will be made.

Sincerely,

Linda Dunne
Acting Director