Philanthropist and Michigan State University alumnus Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe, have committed an additional $2 million toward the construction of a world-class art museum that will be built on MSU’s campus.
This brings the Broads’ total gift to $28 million, the largest gift from two individuals in MSU’s history. The Broads designated $21 million for construction of the building and $7 million to be used for acquisitions, exhibitions, and operations.
“Edye and I are pleased to expand our commitment to create a world-class art museum for MSU and the broader Lansing and central Michigan region,” said Broad, founder of The Broad Foundations. “This new museum, designed by one of the world’s leading architects, will become a contemporary art destination, and it extends our mission of enabling art to be seen by the broadest public.”
Nearly $33 million in private funds has been raised for the project, surpassing the original $30 million goal established in 2007 before the building design was completed. Latest estimates put the cost at $40 million to $45 million and include several contingencies. The goal is to secure at least $40 million in private gifts, leaving approximately $7 million left to reach the new goal. Gifts beyond this total will allow the university additional flexibility in completing the museum.
“The sustained commitment of our visionary partners, Eli and Edythe Broad, underscores our stewardship responsibility,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “We are committed to realizing the aspiration to render the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum a place for transformative cultural experiences.”
MSU will break ground on the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum on March 16. The Broads and Zaha Hadid, the internationally known Pritzker Prize-winning architect who designed the building, are expected to attend. The groundbreaking will be followed by 23 months of construction and a 2012 museum opening.
Teams from Hadid’s firm worked with university representatives as well as local architectural and construction firms to complete the design and building plans.
Once completed, the museum will be three levels with approximately 46,000 square feet of space. More than 69 percent will be gallery space and large art works will be able to be displayed.
For more information about the Broad Museum, visit the Web at www.broadmuseum.msu.edu. To view a fly through video of the planned museum, go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wa8VMbUJh0.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wa8VMbUJh0.