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Tampa Museum of Art Launches Community Arts Education Initiative With Hillsborough County Public Schools

Student answers a question during a docent-led school tour at the Tampa Museum of Art
Student answers a question during a docent-led school tour at the Tampa Museum of Art

TAMPA Fla. – Thanks to a federal grant secured by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, the Tampa Museum of Art will welcome nearly 15,000 additional students in Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Transformation Network next year as part of a new Community Arts Education Initiative supplementing the Museum’s existing school tour programs.

The $1.9 million federal grant for the Museum and the Straz Center for the Performing Arts will provide local students with experiences critiquing works of art, as well as practicing critical thinking skills that will help students in many different subjects.

“Education is at the heart of our mission, and our recent Centennial Renovation has made it possible for us to welcome record numbers of local students to the Museum for learning experiences that engage and inspire,” said Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art.

“All Hillsborough County students should have an opportunity to develop creative skills and enjoy the arts in partnership with the expanding Tampa Museum of Art education initiative and local cultural arts centers. I am proud to champion federal support so that a greater number of Hillsborough students can engage, grow and thrive through arts education,” said U.S. Rep. Castor.  

“Our Transformation Network provides support for our most vulnerable students in Hillsborough County. The Community Arts Education Initiative stresses innovative experiences for our students that will strengthen their critical thinking skills.  We are thankful for Representative Castor’s leadership and the Museum’s partnership for welcoming our students for this guided and gallery-based learning,” said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres.

The federal grant funding will support an 18-month cycle of staff training, curriculum development, school visits, teacher and facilitator training, and assessments to determine the impact of the arts experiences on the students’ critical thinking skills. Students who participate in a visit to the Museum will demonstrate an increase in skills related to the Visual Art Critical Thinking and Reflection, Enduring Understanding 3 standard.

Teacher guides students through the antiquities exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art
Teacher guides students through the antiquities exhibition at the Tampa Museum of Art

In addition to the federal funding secured by U.S. Rep. Castor, the Community Arts Education Initiative is also made possible by the Museum’s recent Centennial Renovation project which doubled the size of the gallery space, and opened the Vinik Family Education Center which grew the Museum’s dedicated education space from 1,400 to 8,000 square feet, including four classrooms and a spacious lobby that features orientation areas and a secure entrance. The number of students that the Museum can serve will continue to grow with the upcoming Centennial Expansion. Learn more about the Centennial Renovation and Expansion project.

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Tampa Museum of Art Appoints Bill Faucett as Campaign Director

Portrait of Bill F. Faucett at the Tampa Museum of Art. Photography by Bryce Womeldurf.

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Museum of Art is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Bill F. Faucett as its new Campaign Director. In this pivotal role, Dr. Faucett will lead the major gifts program and oversee the capital campaign for the ambitious renovation and expansion project that will shape the museum’s future for generations to come.

Dr. Faucett brings a wealth of experience as an arts administrator and fundraiser to his new position. His extensive career includes leadership roles at prominent cultural institutions, including the Palm Beach County Council of the Arts, the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, the Florida Orchestra, and the University of South Florida’s College of The Arts. Most notably, Faucett played a pivotal role in the significant growth of the endowment at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts.

Commenting on his new role, Dr. Faucett stated, “There is no more exciting arts institution in the southeastern United States than the Tampa Museum of Art. Completing the Centennial Campaign for Renovation and Expansion will enable us to mount some of the best exhibitions in the world, provide children and adults with unparalleled educational experiences, and serve a rapidly growing population with aesthetic and intellectual nourishment.”

Dr. Faucett holds a Ph.D. in musicology from Florida State University and is a distinguished arts journalist and the author of eight books. He is also the Past President of the Tampa chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. His deep commitment to the arts and his track record of fundraising success make him an ideal leader for this critical campaign.

Dr. Michael Tomor, the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art, expressed his enthusiasm for Dr. Faucett’s appointment, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Bill Faucett as our Campaign Director. His extensive experience and proven leadership in arts administration and philanthropy will be invaluable as we advance our Centennial Campaign and work on building our museum’s legacy-giving program and growing our endowment to ensure the long-term sustainability of our exhibition and education programs. Bill’s strategic vision aligns perfectly with our mission, and we look forward to achieving new milestones under his guidance.”

The Tampa Museum of Art’s Centennial Campaign for Renovation and Expansion represents a major milestone in the museum’s history. The project aims to enhance education and exhibition spaces, provide access to diverse artistic experiences, and contribute to the cultural enrichment of the Tampa Bay area.

For more information about the Tampa Museum of Art and its Centennial Campaign, please visit TampaMuseum.org.

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SEAM Hospitality Announces New Partnership with Tampa Museum of Art to Enhance Event Experiences

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay’s premier event venue management group, SEAM Hospitality, is excited to announce its newest collaboration with the iconic Tampa Museum of Art. This partnership showcases SEAM’s dedication to curating a diverse portfolio of premier event spaces throughout the Tampa Bay area.

SEAM Hospitality, an Event Venue Management Group specializing in venue management, emerged as a natural progression from the rapid success of Armature Works’ private events program. Recognizing the valuable insights gained from orchestrating hundreds of private events, a unique opportunity was identified to extend this expertise to benefit other venues’ operations. With 30+ years of collective experience and over 5,000 successful events executed, SEAM Hospitality offers guests convenience and expertise, while providing venues with increased bookings and operational efficiencies. Over the past year and a half, they have expanded into managing distinctive event spaces such as Station House, Hyde House Public Studio, Barefoot Beach Club, and now the renowned Tampa Museum of Art.

Nestled in downtown Tampa beside Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art is not only a beacon of cultural pride for the region but also one of the few waterfront event venues in Tampa. These attributes firmly establish it as an exclusive and highly coveted event space. With its rich cultural heritage and capacity to offer a breathtaking setting for private events, the Tampa Museum of Art offers an unparalleled setting for occasions that require a touch of artistry and elegance.

“As a Tampa native, the opportunity to develop the partnership between the Tampa Museum of Art and SEAM holds a deeply personal significance,” says Ashley McChesney, Managing Partner of SEAM Hospitality. “The venue’s uniqueness and beauty are truly unmatched in Tampa. While the current team has already produced remarkable private events, my team and I envision even greater potential ahead. We’re excited for this new collaboration to take their private event program to the next level.”

“Partnering with SEAM Hospitality is a strategic and exciting move for the Tampa Museum of Art. SEAM’s exceptional track record in event management aligns perfectly with TMA’s vision for providing unparalleled experiences within our space. Together, we aim to celebrate the Museum’s cultural heritage and unique ambiance, ensuring that each event held here is not just an occasion but a work of art in its own right,” said Michael Tomor, the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art.                                                                                                                

Incorporating the Tampa Museum of Art into their diverse collection of event venues, SEAM Hospitality continues to underscore their commitment to expanding unique local event spaces across the greater Tampa Bay area. This partnership announcement solidifies their reputation as a leading Event Venue Management Group.

About SEAM Hospitality

SEAM Hospitality is an Event Venue Management Group founded in 2020, specializing in venue management for existing venues or for those looking to expand into the event venue space. SEAM Hospitality brings over 30 years of collective experience, and has successfully planned, produced and executed over 5,000 events throughout Florida. To date, SEAM hospitality currently manages six event venue spaces throughout the Tampa Bay area. Additional information can be found at https://www.seamhospitality.com/.

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Tampa Museum of Art Welcomes “Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum”

Revolutionary Impressionist Works From the Worcester Art Museum’s Collection Make Their Southern Debut in the First Leg of an International Tour.

TAMPA, FL – The Tampa Museum of Art is thrilled to host Frontiers of Impressionism: Paintings from the Worcester Art Museum from September 28, 2023, to January 7, 2024. This breathtaking exhibition, which paints a vivid picture of the global expansion and influence of Impressionism, showcases 53 works by renowned artists—including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, Mary Cassatt, and more. Unique to the Tampa Museum of Art’s showing, many of these pieces will be displayed for the first time outside of the Worcester Art Museum in Massachusetts, offering visitors a fresh look at historic works.

“Presenting these impressionist masterpieces is a testament to art’s enduring ability to challenge and redefine conventions. Their significance transcends aesthetic appeal, offering Tampa Bay audiences a crucial education on how art breaks from tradition,” said Michael Tomor, the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art. Tomor also noted, “Thanks to our recent gallery renovations, we are positioned better than ever to introduce larger-scale exhibitions, such as Frontiers of Impressionism, which enrich educational experiences for our community.”

Showcasing over 30 artists, the exhibition not only traces the roots of Impressionism in 19th-century France but also its expansion to Europe, the United States, and beyond. Visitors can immerse themselves in the groundbreaking artistic techniques, including the penchant for en plein air (outdoor) painting and the distinct brushwork that characterized the movement. A section of the exhibition takes a special look at the unique American rendition of Impressionism, from its manifestation in landscapes of the American West to its presence in New England. Frontiers of Impressionism offers a panoramic view of a movement that forever changed the world of art.

Thanks to the generosity of the presenting sponsor, Ferman Automotive Group, sustainer sponsor, the David A. Straz, Jr. Foundation, and community sponsors Dr. Robert and Susan Isbell, this exhibition promises an unmatched artistic experience for all attendees.

To delve deeper into the artworks, the Tampa Museum of Art will offer related programming, including docent-led tours and special events throughout the duration of the exhibition. For a full list of events and additional details, please visit TampaMuseum.org.

Frontiers of Impressionism is curated by Claire C. Whitner, the Worcester Art Museum’s Director of Curatorial Affairs and the James A. Welu Curator of European Art and Erin Corrales-Diaz, WAM’s former Assistant Curator of American Art. TMA’s presentation of Frontiers of Impressionism is coordinated by Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Art. Following the exhibition’s Tampa Museum of Art dates, it will go on to the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum (January 26–April 7, 2024), followed by additional locations in Japan through the end of 2024.

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Tampa Museum of Art Reopens on August 31 After Hurricane Idalia

Tampa, FL – The Tampa Museum of Art was fortunate to be spared some of the worst effects of Hurricane Idalia’s landfall in Florida. Unfortunately, other communities across the state were not so lucky. Our hearts go out to the individuals and communities who were impacted by the worst of the storm.

The Tampa Museum of Art will reopen and resume regular hours beginning Thursday, August 31, at 10 am. We invite anyone who lost power in Tampa Bay to find some tranquility in our exhibition galleries and use our free Wi-Fi or recharge cell phones in the Museum’s Vinik Family Education Center.

The museum thanks the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County teams that kept our community safe during this storm. Please continue following official communications from the City of Tampa or your local government regarding hurricane recovery efforts and the restoration of services and infrastructure.

General Hours and Information

For tickets and information, visit TampaMuseum.org or call (813) 274-8130. Located at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza. Tampa, FL 33602, the Tampa Museum of Art is open seven days a week, Monday – Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, and Thursdays from 10 am – 8 pm.  

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Tampa Bay Arts Education Network: Time For Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection

Watch the Tampa Bay Arts Education Network “Art Perspectives” episode about the exhibition, “Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M. Pérez Collection” featuring Tampa Museum of Art Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art, Joanna Robotham.

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Call to Artists Announced for Tampa Bay Area Exhibition ‘Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration’

Exhibition to be held at five partnering institutions: Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Sarasota Art Museum; Tampa Museum of Art; and USF Contemporary Art Museum

TAMPA, Fla., June 20, 2023 – Five regional art museums, the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design, and the USF Contemporary Art Museum, are pleased to announce a call to artists for Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration, the third iteration of the exhibition celebrating the diversity and talent of artistic practices in the Tampa Bay area. This is an open call to artists and art collectives residing in Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties to submit application materials for the exhibition, which will be presented across the five participating art institutions during the spring, summer, and fall of 2024. The five art institutions will co-publish a fully illustrated catalogue to accompany the exhibition featuring the work of each exhibiting artist.

The call to artists submission period begins on June 20, with a deadline of August 4, 2023. Artists working in diverse media and disciplines, including socially engaged art and participatory projects, are encouraged to submit original artworks and project proposals. Submissions can include, but are not limited to, work on paper, painting, sculpture, photography, video, performance, sound, research-based art, and site-specific installations. Submissions can include examples of works and past projects that provide an overview of the artist’s practice. Only original works of art completed after December 2020 will be considered for the exhibition in 2024.

Artworks and projects in the exhibition will be selected by an expanded curatorial team from the five participating art institutions, including Christopher Jones, Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Arts and Ola Wlusek, Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, from The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Katherine Pill, Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; Rangsook Yoon, Senior Curator, Sarasota Art Museum; Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Tampa Museum of Art; and Christian Viveros-Fauné, Curator-at-Large, USF Contemporary Art Museum. Curator, writer, and scholar, Evan Garza, is the guest juror for Skyway 2024. Currently a Curatorial Fellow at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, Garza was a recent Fulbright Scholar at The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland, and served as co-curator and artistic director of the 2021 Texas Biennial. Garza co-founded Fire Island Artist Residency (FIAR), a New York nonprofit and the first residency program in the world exclusively for LGBTQ+ artists. 

Additional information and submission guidelines can be found at skywaytampabay.com

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Tampa Museum of Art Announces $100,000 Grant From Bank of America for Support of Recent Haitian Art Acquisition

Andre Pierre (Haitian, b. 1914), Erzulie, 1973. Oil on canvas. 37 x 26 inches. Tampa Museum of Art, Gift of the Arthur Albrecht Revocable Trust.
André Pierre (Haitian, b. 1914), Erzulie, 1973. Oil on canvas. 37 x 26 inches. Tampa Museum of Art, Gift of the Arthur Albrecht Revocable Trust.

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Museum of Art has been awarded a $100,000 grant from Bank of America for the conservation of its recent acquisition of Haitian art. The collection consists of paintings, sculptures, and framed maps bequeathed to the Tampa Museum of Art by the Arthur R. Albrecht Revocable Trust last August. Albrecht was a devoted collector of Haitian art and was also active in philanthropy on behalf of the country.

“This grant by Bank of America is an example of how businesses can collaborate with the arts to preserve rich cultural heritage,” said Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director at the Tampa Museum of Art. “We are always in pursuit of opportunities to work with private institutions to ensure these works can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

At the time of the acquisition, the Museum also received a $1 million endowment gift from the Albrecht Trust in support of the collection and programming. The new $100,000 grant from Bank of America will go toward preservation projects and allow for a larger portion of the Albrecht Trust to be used for educational programming related to the newly acquired artwork.

“The private sector has a role to play in keeping the arts thriving in our communities, which is why we partnered with the Tampa Museum of Art to help preserve the historical and cultural impact of this art,” says Bill Goede, president, Bank of America Tampa Bay. “We believe that investments in arts and culture help to build our Tampa Bay community and have a positive impact on the lives of our clients and employees. We are committed to preserving these pieces that celebrate Tampa’s strong Haitian population.”

This support is part of Bank of America’s Art Conservation Project (ACP), a unique program through which the bank provides grant funding to nonprofit museums and cultural institutions around the world to help conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration. Since it began in 2010, Bank of America has funded the conservation of individual pieces of art through more than 237 projects in 40 countries across six continents, conserving paintings, sculptures, and archaeological and architectural pieces that are critically important to cultural heritage and the history of art.

The combined gifts and grants accompanying the collection complement ongoing fundraising efforts by the Museum’s Centennial Campaign for Renovation and Expansion. The Museum completed renovations of the Vinik Family Education Center last summer, growing the education space from 1,400 to 8,000 square feet, including four classrooms, a lobby, orientation spaces, and a secure entrance. With these improvements in place, the Museum anticipates quadrupling the number of students it serves per year, and the school tour program alone can grow from 6,000 students to 24,000 each year.  

In 2021, the Museum announced it was embarking on its $100 million+ Centennial Renovation and Expansion to expand the Museum’s gross area from 69,000 to 125,000 sq. ft. On April 26, the Museum celebrated the completion of its renovations, with all exhibitions in new gallery spaces open to the public.

See some of the artwork that recently underwent conservation in the exhibition Reframing Haitian Art: Masterworks from the Arthur Albrecht Collection on view now through May 2024.

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Tampa Museum of Art’s Centennial Renovation Celebrated with the Opening of Seven New Exhibition Spaces

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Tampa, FL – The Tampa Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the official opening of seven new exhibition spaces. Last evening, during the Museum’s Renovation Celebration, Tampa Bay’s leaders, Museum benefactors and members gathered to mark the conclusion of the Museum’s Centennial Renovation project phase, which began construction in mid-2021. The new spaces include the transformation of underused storage rooms into the Vinik Family Education Center and seven new exhibition galleries. The spaces are designed by New York-based WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, the firm also responsible for the expansion of the existing museum building.

With the completion of the renovation phase of the Centennial Renovation and Expansion, the museum’s exhibition and collection space has grown from 14,800 square feet to more than 43,000 square feet, including a renovated sculpture gallery on the first floor, and a flexible multimedia gallery space on the second floor. The lobby of the existing building has been remodeled into a sculpture atrium, making art the focus of the visitor experience immediately upon entering the building.

The education spaces, now known as the new Vinik Family Education Center, have also grown from 1,400 square feet to more than 8,000 square feet. The Vinik Family Education Center began offering classes in May 2022 and includes four classrooms, a lobby, orientation space, and a ceramics kiln. To date, the Vinik Family Education Center has served over 12,000 adults, children and teens through camps, studio classes, tours, art therapy-informed programs and more. 

“The Renovation Celebration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Tampa Museum of Art,” said Michael Tomor, the Tampa Museum of Art’s Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director. “With our expanded exhibition and education spaces, we are thrilled to be able to showcase the diverse work of so many talented artists and offer more programming to our visitors. We look forward to continuing to represent the vibrant community that we serve.”

As part of the realignment of space, WEISS/MANFREDI designed a new transparent façade surrounding the first floor of the Museum, allowing the community to experience the Museum’s mission 365 days a year. This new façade, along with the expanded museum store, atrium galleries and new west lobby, align with an important initiative of the Centennial Campaign to increase both visibility and accessibility to the Tampa Museum of Art.

The Renovation Celebration event marked the completion of the renovation phase of the Centennial Renovation and Expansion at the Tampa Museum of Art, and the Museum will continue its Centennial Campaign for the expansion phase. 

The next phase will be the construction of a stunning 55,000-square-foot expansion, which will transform the museum into a vibrant hub of art and culture. Designed as a crystalline pier extending the museum to the edge of the river, the new expansion will create a series of interconnected multi-functional spaces that triple the event space from 7,200 square feet to 25,600 square feet. The new addition will include a 150-seat auditorium, an art lounge, a large event space, and a rooftop event venue, all of which will provide flexible settings for a wide range of art and cultural programming. The expansion will also feature new outdoor sculpture areas bringing art to the redeveloped public spaces along Curtis Hixon Park and the Tampa Riverwalk. With the new expansion, the Tampa Museum of Art aims to offer a seamless and integrated public experience around the museum and the park.

About WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism

WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism is a multidisciplinary design practice based in New York City. Founded by Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, the firm is known for the dynamic integration of architecture, art, infrastructure, and landscape design. Their work is noted for the strategic engagement of architecture and site and recognizes the critical dialogue between enclosed and open spaces, between new and existing structures, and between building and city.

Notable projects include the Seattle Art Museum: Olympic Sculpture Park, the Baker Museum addition in Naples, Florida, the Women’s Memorial at Arlington Cemetery, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Visitor Center. They are currently designing the US Embassy in New Delhi, India, and the addition and renovation of the La Brea Tar Pits Page Museum in Los Angeles.

The firm has won numerous awards, including the AIA President’s Award, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture, the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award, the Academy Award for Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, and the International VR Green Prize for Urban Design. They have also been named one of North America’s “Emerging Voices” by the Architectural League of New York and received the New York City AIA Gold Medal of Honor. Michael Manfredi is a Senior Critic at Harvard University and Marion Weiss is the Graham Chair Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.

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PNC Bank Pledges $500,000 for New Education Center at the Tampa Museum of Art

TAMPA, Fla. (January 10, 2023) – The Tampa Museum of Art today announced a major contribution from PNC Bank consisting of $500,000 toward the Museum’s Centennial Campaign. This award will help to grow education and exhibition programming at the new PNC Family Classroom and Gallery, a new 1,680 sq. ft. space located in the Museum’s renovated and expanded Vinik Family Education Center.

“We’re proud to be longtime sponsors of this gem in the community,” said Chad Loar, PNC regional president for West and Central Florida. “With the PNC Family Classroom and Gallery, thousands of students and families will have the opportunity to learn about the vast world of art and culture through the many programs and exhibits that the Tampa Museum of Art offers.” 

The Museum currently serves approximately 14,000 children, adults and teens through on and off-site education programs across Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay Region. As a result of the completed renovations, including the Education Center and expanded gallery spaces, the number of students the Museum serves each year will more than quadruple.

“PNC Bank has long been generously invested in the success of the Tampa Museum of Art,” said Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art. “We are excited to unveil the new PNC Family Classroom and Gallery as a place where museum visitors and their families can enjoy art-making activities on designated family days, as well as a flexible space for regional and student art exhibitions.”

PNC Bank is also a sponsor of Museums for All at the Tampa Museum of Art. Museums for All is a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Association of Children’s Museums. The program encourages people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits by providing free admission to individuals and families receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits. Museums for All is part of the Tampa Museum of Art’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.

About PNC Bank

PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com.

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