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City of Buffalo Press Releases

Posted on: December 18, 2018

Mayor Brown Commits $2.5 Million to AK360 Project

AK360 donation announcement

Buffalo, NY – Mayor Byron W. Brown announced a major investment in the future Buffalo Albright-Knox-

Gundlach Art Museum (Buffalo AKG Art Museum) today. The City of Buffalo has pledged $2.5 million to

AK360, one of the most ambitious fundraising initiatives in the 156-year history of one of Buffalo’s largest

cultural organizations.

Mayor Brown stated, “The Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum is a major part of our City’s twentyfirst-

century renaissance and our thriving arts community, bringing world-class art and arts education to

Buffalo for 156 years. Providing this support for the future public park and public infrastructure on the

grounds of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum campus is both a privilege and a responsibility, and I thank Dr.

Janne Sirén and members of the Albright-Knox Board for their enhanced commitment to diversity in the

AK360 plan, and for sharing my commitment to ensure that the campus is an enriching haven for all people

of Buffalo seeking inspiration, culture and social interaction. ”

Mayor Brown’s funding commitment, which will be matched dollar for dollar by investor Jeffrey Gundlach,

will be earmarked for the enhancement of Frederick Law Olmsted’s Delaware Park, as well as public

infrastructure, consistent with the museum’s campus development and expansion design created by

internationally renowned landscape architect Michael Van Valkenberg, the same designer recently selected

to design Buffalo’s largest waterfront park – the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park, formerly LaSalle

Park. These enhancements are needed to properly house the museum’s growing collection of modern

and contemporary masterworks, mount rotating special exhibitions, and present a dynamic array of

complementary educational programs.

Janne Sirén, Peggy Pierce Elfvin Director of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery said, “The AK360 Campus

Development and Expansion project aspires to transform this museum into a more welcoming environment

and social space for everyone to enjoy, and today we are honored by Mayor Brown’s commitment to these

ideals. Our identity as an institution is continually reshaped by those who so generously support our

efforts. We are profoundly grateful to Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo for recognizing the significant

potential this project holds for our area and its residents, and we are confident that the reinvigorated

Buffalo Albright-Knox-Gundlach Art Museum will be a tremendous resource for all citizens.”

Alice Jacobs, Board President of the Albright-Knox, said, “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the museum,

I would like to extend our sincerest thanks to Mayor Brown and the Buffalo Common Council for their deep

commitment and partnership in this transformative project. Under Mayor Brown’s leadership, the City of

Buffalo continues to flourish. The AK360 project will continue community’s revitalization as a wonderful

place to live, work, and grow.”

Since 2006, Mayor Brown has continued to grow Buffalo into an efficient, diverse and equitable City

of Opportunity in neighborhoods citywide that has resulted in an economic revitalization that has put

Buffalo in the global spotlight. Under his leadership, the City has made and continues to make significant

investments in Buffalo’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, continuing Mayor Brown’s commitment to funding

the arts, acquisitions, restorations and partnerships.

Mayor Brown has teamed up with Dr. Sirén and the Albright-Knox on a number of art initiatives that

promote diversity, including the museum’s focus on the work of black women artists, celebrated in the

exhibit, We Wanted a Revolution: Black Radical Women, 1965-85.

The City, in partnership with Erie County, also sets aside annual funds to help offset the cost of a curator

position at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum Campus. Curator Aaron Ott has led the installation of more than

30 works of public art across the region.

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