The fundraising campaign “Together for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection” continues through June 13 and it has been essential to keeping the museum’s activities alive. Thank you to everyone who has donated. The fundraising efforts must go on.
In July 2020, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection launched its first fundraising campaign, “Together for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection,” following the significant economic losses suffered after the first prolonged lockdown. Throughout the year, thanks to the generous support from those who responded to the appeal, we achieved an important goal in that the museum never stopped and persisted in planning ahead. When regulations permitted, Palazzo Venier dei Leoni reopened its doors to visitors and the staff enthusiastically organized new public programs including online art history courses, the Overcoming. Art Practices for the New Normal workshops for young audiences between 16 and 25, virtual visits to national and international exhibitions, and lectures with curators, scholars, conservation and restoration experts.
Of her New York museum-gallery, Art of This Century, Peggy Guggenheim said: “I hope that it will become a center where artists will be welcome and where they can feel that they are cooperating in establishing a research laboratory for new ideas … in serving the future instead of recording the past.” It is due to the aid of the large and loyal community of supporters, which plays a fundamental role in the history of the museum, that the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is able to persevere in serving the future with new ideas that are a source of inspiration and nourishment for the heart and mind. For this reason and in anticipation of the coming months, which will be decisive both for the predicament of the pandemic and a desire for a new normality in the world of culture, the “Together for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection” campaign remains active through June 13. Even the smallest gesture is important for the life of the museum. Donations support the museum’s programming, guarantee that the numerous online activities designed for both an online audience and forthcoming in-person visits carry on, and allow to access the works of art in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni as soon as it will be possible. Additionally, the campaign is crucial for all the conservation and restoration projects of the collection. Preserving and restoring the museum’s artistic heritage makes it possible for future generations to benefit from an inspiring and creative legacy based on mutual understanding and respect.
“We have persistently carried out the campaign in support of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection,” says director Karole P. B. Vail. “We were happy to welcome the public back to Palazzo Venier dei Leoni when it was possible for us to reopen. When the museum was closed, it filled us with hope to see how many people enthusiastically participated in our many digital initiatives. This was all made possible thanks to the funds that were raised and we thank those who believe in the museum and supported this fundraiser. But we must not stop now. Today, more than ever, we trust in the generosity of those who love art and believe in its therapeutic power to maintain our activities, thus giving the public an opportunity to be a source of energy so that art remains an asset and accessible to all.”
In support of the fundraising campaign, the internationally renowned artist Anish Kapoor has created Blood and Earth, a limited-edition polymer gravure that he is generously offering to those who contribute a minimum of €5,000 to the campaign. Out of 100 prints, there are still 25 available for those wishing to donate and support the museum.
Together for art, culture and beauty. Together for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.