UT-Austin Blanton Museum Grounds To Undergo Change Via $20M Gift

AUSTIN, TEXAS— Officials of the Blanton Museum of Art at The University of Texas at Austin plan to use a newly received $20 million gift to transform the exterior grounds.

Museum officials outlined plans on using the monetary gift from The Moody Foundation in Galveston, Texas, in a press advisory, conveying their plans to "...re-imagine and transform the museum’s exterior spaces" under a developing master plan by renowned architecture firm Snøhetta. Blanton Director Simone Wicha and UT-Austin President Gregory L. Fenves announced the gift at the museum’s 2019 Gala on Saturday, Feb. 9.

The aim is to create an "iconic destination" point, facilitate the museum’s vision for innovative outdoor programming and form a dynamic connection among the university, the City of Austin and the Texas State Capitol complex, officials said.

“I’m thrilled to share news of this historic gift from The Moody Foundation, which launches the next phase of growth for the Blanton," Wicha said. "Austin by Ellsworth Kelly, already a treasured icon for our city, has accelerated the Blanton’s evolution into an international arts destination, and the Snøhetta master plan will further our position as an Austin landmark and a vibrant cultural anchor for our community,” she continued. “We are deeply grateful to Blanton National Leadership Board member Elle Moody for being an ardent champion of the museum and to the full board of the Foundation for their visionary investment in this transformative project.”

Added Fenves: “Today, The Moody Foundation strengthens its legacy of philanthropy by making an unparalleled investment in the future of UT’s Blanton Museum of Art. I am sincerely grateful to the Foundation for this extraordinary gift. The Blanton collections inspire thousands of scholars, students and art lovers from around the world to visit our city and university each year.

"With a beautifully reimagined exterior, the Blanton will continue to expand its reputation as one of the premier destinations for fine art in Texas,” Fenves added. “Thank you to the Foundation’s trustees — Elle Moody, Ross Moody and Francie Moody-Dahlberg — for their vision, generosity and steadfast support for the arts.”

Elle Moody, trustee of The Moody Foundation, spoke of her foundation's historical bond to the museum: “The Moody Foundation has a long history with the Blanton, and we are extremely pleased to contribute to such a significant project. As a young visitor growing up in Austin, this museum taught me that art is a vital social force to inspire and unite communities,” Moody said. “The Blanton continues to make great strides in bringing world-class art experiences to visitors from Central Texas and beyond, and we are honored to support this exciting next chapter.”

School officials noted the Moody gift is one of the largest ever granted to benefit Austin’s fine arts community, and the largest ever given in support of Austin’s outdoor spaces. Details of the Blanton master plan are expected to be released this summer, officials added. The design will reshape much of the exterior area surrounding Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin and the two buildings that compose the Blanton: the Michener Gallery Building, opened in 2006 to house the collection and exhibition galleries; and the Edgar A. Smith building, opened in 2008 to house the Blanton café, museum shop, auditorium and administrative offices.

The museum currently activates the outdoor space between the two buildings during its annual Blanton Block Party, a free day-to-night community festival each spring, as well as for other special events. The reconfiguration, officials said, will enable the museum to use more versatile space for a variety of lively public programming, including the Blanton’s monthly Third Thursdays, which, along with the museum’s free admission every Thursday, are also made possible by The Moody Foundation.

The Blanton’s master plan project will coincide with the State’s development of the first phase of the Texas Capitol Complex Master Plan, which will create a pedestrian-oriented “Texas Mall” on North Congress Avenue between 16th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, officials described

About the Blanton Museum of Art

Founded in 1963, the Blanton Museum of Art holds the largest public collection in Central Texas, with more than 18,000 objects. Recognized for its modern and contemporary American and Latin American art, Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, and encyclopedic collection of prints and drawings, the Blanton offers thought provoking, visually arresting, and personally moving encounters with art.

About the Moody Foundation

The Moody Foundation was established by W.L. Moody, Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody in 1942 to share their good fortune and make a difference in the lives of the people of Texas. Since then, The Moody Foundation has made more than $1.5 billion in grants throughout the state to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans. The Moody Foundation continues with a board of three trustees: Frances Moody-Dahlberg, Ross Moody and Elizabeth “Elle” Moody. Learn more at MoodyF.org.

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