News and Events

June 13, 2011

Barrick Needs You

It can be easy to overlook the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History. It's at UNLV, not downtown, so it doesn't get that monthly hit of First Friday attention; it's not particularly convenient to get to; and Lord knows where on that ever-changing campus you're supposed to park.

And yet, for art viewers, it's very often worth the effort, as is the case right now. Along with the Vegas-probing 89XXXhibition (see left), it's showing a small suite of otherworldly flat pieces and sculptures by K.D. Matheson, and self-portraits by Jerry Shawback. And since the museum says visitorship has tripled in the last few years, some people are taking notice.

But the budget follies in Carson City have now exacted a hard toll. "Just been notified that the Museum WILL be losing its state funding," Program Director Aurore Giguet Facebooked on Monday. The cut won't be immediately catastrophic, she tells CityLife. "But as it stands today, we only have enough money in reserves to stay open through July 2012." The museum has until then to raise $250,000 to stay open at its current level.

Giguet says the museum is already taking steps to reorient itself more toward the arts, and is forging partnerships with community groups. It will hold a benefit and auction in the fall. "Also, later this month, we'll roll out our new Friends of the Museum program," she says.

But with the drooping economy, every buck will be a tough get, especially in a slam dance of good causes. "With the Discover Museum looking to raise $12 million and the continued fundraising efforts of The Smith Center, it's going to be a challenge," she says.

You can help, and should. Donate to the UNLV Foundation, indicating it's for museum operations (http://foundation.unlv.edu/waystogive.html). "Or they can contact me and I can walk them through the donation process, which may be the best bet to make sure the money goes directly to us." Do it!

Author: Scott Dickensheets. 

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