LR museum gains overhaul grant
Posted on Saturday, November 15, 2008
With the help of a $ 9. 2 million grant, Little Rock’s Museum of Discovery is planning a renovation of its building in the downtown River Market District that will include the addition of three new galleries and a new entrance on President Clinton Avenue.
The $ 9. 2 million grant was given to the nonprofit science center by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the media entrepreneur it was named after. It has its headquarters in Las Vegas and is one of the largest private foundations in the United States.
The recent grant is the largest the museum has been awarded since it opened a decade ago and was the result of a five-year effort to plan the overhaul of the museum, said Katie McManners, the museum’s marketing director.
The planning effort was paid for in part with an earlier $ 7. 3 million grant awarded by the foundation in 2003.
“The Reynolds Foundation gave us a planning grant several years ago to analyze every part of our operations... to determine what direction the museum should head,” she said.
The museum has raised more than $ 900, 000 in a private campaign to put toward the 20 percent match the Reynolds Foundation requires before construction can begin.
She said the museum still needs to raise $ 3. 5 million for the project and is soliciting donations from key organizations and individuals.
The plans for the renovation of the museum, which was built in 1998, include giving its visitors a street entrance by moving it from the lobby of the Museum Center office building to President Clinton Avenue, McManners said.
“It will be an all-glass front,” she said.
The museum’s area will also increase from 44, 000 square feet to more than 50, 000 square feet to provide more gallery space, she said. The building’s roof will be raised as part of the renovation.
She said about 80 to 90 new exhibits are being planned that focus on earth sciences and environmental issues, with many including connections to the natural landscapes of Arkansas.
Sharon Priest, executive director of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, said the renovation of the Museum of Discovery will be good for the River Market District.
“A lot of people don’t even know it’s there,” she said, adding that the new entrance will add to its visibility.
Plus, an increase in exhibits will be another draw to families looking to spend the day in the River Market District, she said.
“The more things you have to do,” the better, she said. The museum served more than 95, 000 people in 2007, including school groups.
The renovations are set to begin in late 2009, McManners said.
The museum will be closed for several months, although it will continue to provide its community outreach programs.
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