LAKELAND, Fla. (July 13, 2024) — In the history of our beloved museum, there have been many banner moments, including our founding in 1966, our accreditation as an art museum in 1983, our Smithsonian affiliation in 2010, and our joining forces with Florida Southern College in 2017.
After many months of holding this secret close, we are able finally to reveal that our community’s fine art museum is the recipient of a transformational gift from the Nick and Ashley Barnett Foundation at GiveWell. Moments like these come along rarely and are true landmarks for museums small and large; with this new endowment, coupled with our incredible 14,000-square-foot expansion set to open this Fall, the Museum you know and love continues to grow and gains additional resources to double down on its legacy as a FREE, accessible space for exceptional exhibitions, community programs, and art and arts education experiences.
The Barnetts’ endowment, which will support exhibitions, community art programs, and operations, comes along with Nick’s surprise to honor Ashley’s abiding commitment to, advocacy for, and love of the arts — including her service on the Museum's Board of Trustees — with its new name. The Museum — known as of tonight as The Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art (The AGB) — remains dedicated to its mission as an academic and community museum and aspires to do what we do — and what you have come to expect us to do — just bigger and better.
As we enter our amazing next chapter, the future of the Museum has never looked brighter. But we also know that our Museum is only as strong as its community of supporters.
As we honor our 58 year legacy, thank Nick and Ashley for this tremendous gift, and look forward together to a sustainable future of The AGB for generations to come, we thank you, our loyal network of members, artists, patrons, and art lovers, most importantly, for your own love for our shared gem.
You make our work as a team at the Museum fulfilling each and every day.
Sincerely,
