Museum Examines Prospect of Expanding Downtown, Meets with Stetson
DeLand, FL – On the heels of celebrating its 65th year as a cultural arts organization, and 25 years in the facility at 600 N. Woodland Blvd., the Museum of Art – DeLand held recent discussions with Stetson University – a long time partner who has shared space with the Museum at this location for years. Dialogue resulted in an initiative to move forward in taking steps to assess the value of the building at 600 in preparation for a possible sale to Stetson, allowing the Museum to expand its presence in the downtown core proximal to its 100 N. Woodland Blvd. location.
“Stetson University and the Museum of Art – DeLand have had a long and mutually beneficial relationship that extends over decades,” said Bob Huth, CFO and executive vice president. “We look forward to more discussions with the Museum.”
While the Museum furthers its mission, Stetson’s College of Arts & Sciences is interested in the feasibility of expanding its current interdisciplinary academic use of the Museum’s theater space, which has been leased since 2012. Working parallel toward a similar goal resulted in the procurement of an independent commercial appraiser.
“For several months, our Board and staff, led by CEO George Bolge, have examined the prospect of expanding its operations downtown, which would further complement assets of the city and accommodate an ever-increasing audience,” said Museum Board President Judy Thompson, “so working with Stetson at this time makes sense.”
“The opportunity to explore the benefits of an expanded presence downtown depends on our willingness to measure our strengths and challenges against the background of our community at large,” said Bolge. “In this way, we can evaluate and apply the knowledge gained from our experiences at 100 N. Woodland Blvd. to strengthen our future civic collaborations by identifying new sponsors and donors.”
Huth agreed, adding there were several steps to be made, on both sides, before any conclusions can be reached.
“We recognize there is great benefit to the vitality of the City of DeLand, for residents and visitors alike, to strengthen cultural arts in the heart of downtown by having an established organization like the Museum of Art – DeLand expand its presence and take the lead in developing an Arts District,” said City of DeLand Mayor, Bob Agpar.
Together with City Manager, Michael Pleus, Apgar acknowledged that Bolge and his team were instrumental in further beautifying the downtown crossroads with the opening of the Museum Store in the heart of the city at New York Avenue and Woodland Boulevard in 2014. They know there are several options for this collaborative initiative to take hold and are enthused for the future of the Museum’s endeavors, and for Stetson’s continued growth.
MUSEUM OF ART – DELAND
MEMBER’S ONLY SHOPPING PARTY
Dec. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 100 N. Woodland Blvd.
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NATVAR BHAVSAR FILM: POETICS OF COLOR
Dec. 2 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at 100 N. Woodland Blvd.
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EXHIBITIONS ON VIEW
600 N. WOODLAND BLVD.
Ernest Trova: Visionary
Francis Luis Mora: A Legacy Reconsidered
Doug Safranek: Both Sides of the Bridge (New York in Egg Tempera)
Selections from the Collection of Samuel Blatt
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100 N. WOODLAND BLVD.
Natvar Bhavsar: The Dimension of Color
Water Trouble: A Photographic Essay by Barbara Neijna
(This is the last weekend to view Water Trouble)
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Museum of Art – DeLand 600 N. Woodland Blvd. DeLand, FL 32720 386.734.4371
Museum of Art – DeLand Downtown 100 N. Woodland Blvd. DeLand, FL 32720 386.279.7534
MoArtDeLand.org