The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens Receives $1 Million Grant from The Bank of America Charitable Foundation

    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cummer Museum of Art &
 Gardens today celebrated two major developments in the Facilities and
 Grounds Master Plan and Five-year Strategic plan. Susan Walker, Florida
 President, Bank of America, presented the museum with a $1 million grant
 from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. This lead corporate gift
 accelerates the museum's restoration and construction plans to preserve the
 historic Woman's Club of Jacksonville, to be renamed the new Edward W.
 Lane, Jr. Building. When complete this landmark building will provide
 additional civic space for museum lectures, programs and events.
 
     "We are tremendously proud of the legacy of partnership that Bank of
 America has with The Cummer since its inception more than four decades
 ago," said Walker. "The Cummer serves as an anchor in our community,
 spurring economic and cultural growth over numerous generations. On behalf
 of our Jacksonville and Florida-based associates, we are pleased to be able
 to support the museum's expansion and preservations efforts for the Edward
 W. Lane, Jr. Building, which plays such a critical role in both the history
 and future of this great institution."
 
     The grant will aid in funding and supporting the expansion of The
 Cummer campus with dedicated civic space and improved facilities for museum
 lectures, concerts, educational programming, community-based programs and
 events, and generating revenue through facility and space rentals. Museum
 space will be dedicated to art exhibitions, both permanent and traveling,
 many of which no other venue in the Northeast region can accommodate.
 
     "The Cummer is proud and grateful to be the recipient of the Bank of
 America Charitable Foundation's generosity," said Museum Director Maarten
 van de Guchte. "It re-affirms the age-old bond between business and the
 arts in fostering a vibrant community."
 
     Bank of America has a long history of support for The Cummer, dating
 back to its inception. Through its legacy banks, Bank of America and its
 associates have provided stewardship in board and advisory leaders,
 financial encouragement in building The Cummer's collection through
 acquisition enrichment, along with direct financial support illustrates a
 model of true public-private partnering.
 
     "This building and its deep community history is a nod to Mrs. Cummer's
 vision and life in this community. Preservation of the past and its union
 to the museum's vision for service and growth in this region is embodied in
 this project. The museum's Trustees and Building and Grounds Committee have
 worked closely with Ann Beha Architects ensuring the highest standard of
 preservation and utility are met," said Frank Watson, former chair of Board
 of Trustees and chair of Building and Grounds Committee. Ann Beha
 Architects of Boston is the architectural firm working with
 Jacksonville-based Elkins Constructors on the restoration and construction
 of this project.
 
     The Cummer acquired the Woman's Club of Jacksonville in February 2005.
 Restoration of the existing building and construction of a new link
 building completes the museum's Facilities Master Plan Phase I. Ninah
 Cummer donated the land and the Tudor-style building was constructed in
 1927 to serve the Woman's Club of Jacksonville. The original 13,264
 square-foot building was designed and built in the same style as Cummer's
 adjacent estate at her request. The building served as home to the Woman's
 Club of Jacksonville until November 2005.
 
     Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
 
     Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities
 it serves, Bank of America is in its fourth year of achieving an
 unprecedented 10-year goal to donate $1.5 billion to nonprofit
 organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their
 neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable
 Foundation will give more than $225 million in 2008, making the bank the
 most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest
 donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America
 approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood
 excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet
 the most pressing needs of individual communities. Through Team Bank of
 America, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 650,000 hours in
 2007 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For
 more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit
 www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
 
     Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
 
     The museum was founded in 1958 when Ninah Holden Cummer, a Jacksonville
 resident, created an endowment to build a museum on the site of her
 family's home. The museum opened its doors November 10, 1961, with Ninah
 Cummer's small collection of 60 pieces. Today, the Cummer Museum of Art &
 Gardens is the second most visited fine art museum in the state and the
 largest in northeast Florida. With a permanent collection of more than
 6,000 works of art, the museum is noted for its collection of European and
 American masterworks, historic riverfront gardens and outstanding
 collection of Meissen porcelain. Art Connections is a national,
 award-winning interactive learning center where art, science and the
 imagination unite.
 
 
 

SOURCE Bank of America