Art & Historic Building Preservation Fundraising Campaign- Help Us Make Our Match!
What a year of accomplishments for the museum! Our former "Go to Bat for The Square" campaign allowed us to begin the initial phase of our ambitious goal--to clear out and clean up decades of damage to our attic, moving us closer to our vision in expanding and renovating this amazing and beautiful space for future use! But first things first. Our historic building, built in 1896, houses our greatest investments--the museum’s permanent collection of art and the classrooms that are used for our educational programming. Until the attic space is ready for expansion, we need to protect our investment in the future of the museum. Over the course of the next 15 months The Square is seeking matching funds for another Montana Historic Preservation Grant for the projects listed below. PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
IMPORTANCE OF A CLIMATE-CONTROLLED ART STORAGE SPACE
The museum assumes a legal and ethical responsibility for the care of its permanent collection of artworks. The art collected through the years is a record and legacy of the cultural heritage and social values of not only a specific physical region, but of entire generations of artists, cultural leaders, and voices of diverse backgrounds. Curating and preserving the collection is our life-long intention to educate, create awareness, and reflect an appreciation of important cultural and artistic movements and milestones. The impact of preserving the works of art in our collections is vital to The Square’s mission and values to promote, inspire, and educate others in appreciating the role of art in society. PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
IMPORTANCE OF FIXING OUR CLASSROOM FLOOR
Most educational programming takes place in the basement of our historic building. It is where we host studio art classes, it is where our free art programming to serve our most vulnerable students takes place, and it is the creative heartbeat of the building where people gather and learn. The flooring in Room 18 has suffered the effects of a concrete beam that is rising off the sonic tubes, causing the floor to lift. The resulting uneven mound in the middle of the floor presents a physical hazard, especially for our students with mobility issues, and the situation threatens ADA compliance. PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
IMPORTANCE OF WINDOW TREATMENTS
In 2023, the museum was awarded a national, competitive CAP (Collections Assessment for Preservation) Assessment from the IMLS (Institute of Museums and Library Services), the purpose of which provided recommendations for improved environmental conditions for storage of art collections, as well as how to improve protection for the architectural features of the building’s interior and exterior. The building has 154 exterior windows in need of UV protective treatment and enhanced window blinds that will preserve and feature the building’s historic beauty. PLEASE GIVE TODAY!
WE NEED YOU!
Help us with matching funds for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant for these projects listed. With your investment in us, we will see to it that this vision of the museum’s future becomes a reality. We will bring the museum to its greatest glory as it continues to serve its purpose as a contemporary art museum, all the while preserving its historical integrity. PLEASE GIVE TODAY!