Category: News

Stay up to date with the latest announcements from the Tampa Museum of Art. Our News section is your go-to source for official press releases and timely updates about the museum’s exhibitions, educational programs, community initiatives, and partnerships. Whether we’re unveiling a new exhibition, launching a special event, or sharing institutional milestones, you’ll find the most current information right here. This section is designed for journalists, supporters, and anyone interested in the evolving story of the museum. Check back often to stay informed about what’s next at the Tampa Museum of Art.

For press and media requests, email marketing@tampamuseum.org.

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News

TMA Announces Art & Aces 2024: An Unforgettable Night of Philanthropy and Fun

Tampa, FL — The Tampa Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the return of its signature fundraising event, Art & Aces, on September 13, 2024, from 8 pm to 11 pm at Oxford Exchange. This year’s event promises to be an extraordinary evening of entertainment, gaming, and philanthropy, supporting the Museum’s mission to make art accessible to the entire Tampa Bay community.

Art & Aces, a unique tropical casino night, offers a vibrant experience for young professionals, art enthusiasts, and new friends. With a variety of games such as roulette, craps, blackjack, and slots, guests will enjoy a luxurious affair complete with drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and access to all gaming tables. This one-of-a-kind event will take place at the sophisticated Oxford Exchange, providing a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable evening.

Event Details:

  • Date: Friday, September 13, 2024
  • Time: 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
  • Venue: Oxford Exchange, 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
  • Dress Code: Tropical Cocktail
  • Tickets: Purchase tickets at TampaMuseum.org/ArtAces
    • Art+ Members: $185
    • Not-Yet Members: $225

This year’s event is led by an enthusiastic volunteer committee, co-chaired by Amanda Schifino and Omar Butt, two dedicated individuals with a shared passion for art and their community. Amanda, a Tampa native with a tech and marketing strategy background, and Omar, a London-born Executive Director with JP Morgan, bring their diverse experiences and strong commitment to the arts to lead the vision of this exciting fundraiser. They are joined by a talented group of volunteers, including Alexandra Diaz, Allison Blake Martens, Cole McGowan, Eileen Cheeseman, Gabrie Giammarco, Natalie Nammour, and Ryne Gallien, all working together to make Art & Aces an unforgettable evening in support of the Tampa Museum of Art.

Supporting Art Education in Tampa Bay

All proceeds from Art & Aces will directly benefit the Tampa Museum of Art’s innovative educational programs, which are designed to inspire and engage the Tampa Bay community. These programs are a vital part of the Museum’s goal to provide equal access to art education for all. Businesses and individuals are also invited to sponsor Art & Aces. The funds raised through this event are crucial in sustaining these efforts, underscoring the urgency and significance of your support. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Museum’s development team at development@tampamuseum.org.

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Centennial Campaign News

The Beck Group to Manage Construction of Tampa Museum of Art Expansion

TAMPA, FL. – The Tampa Museum of Art announced today they have selected The Beck Group to manage the construction of the Museum’s Centennial Expansion project. 

An architecture and construction firm with offices in the U.S. and Mexico, Beck has managed the construction of many prominent cultural institutions. These include the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, and the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. Beck has been in Tampa for more than 30 years. Its deep portfolio includes The James Museum and multiple projects at the Universities of Tampa and South Florida.

The Museum is funding the ambitious 77,904-square-foot expansion project through its ongoing Centennial Campaign, a comprehensive construction and endowment effort anchored by a $25 million lead gift from Dick Corbett. The Museum intends to reach its $110 million fundraising goal by late 2024 or early 2025, after which the institution will break ground. To date, generous support has been provided by individuals, families and corporations, as well as the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, and the State of Florida.

“Our commitment to the Tampa Bay area extends beyond construction; it’s about enriching communities. We take pride in shaping Tampa’s downtown waterfront, exemplified by our collaboration on the Tampa Museum of Art’s Centennial Expansion,” said Ryan Toth, regional director for Beck’s Florida office.

“Tampa Bay is growing by leaps and bounds, and we want the Museum’s offerings to keep pace with the demands of our region well into the future,” said Dr. Jamie Winderbaum Fernandez, board chair of the Tampa Museum of Art. “It is a privilege to lead the Tampa Museum of Art board through this transformational project so our neighbors and visitors have access to a world-class cultural landmark.”

“After completing the Centennial Renovation last year, we are making full use of the increased gallery and education space for the benefit of our visitors, students, and the wider community,” said Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Jeff and Penny Vinik Executive Director at the Tampa Museum of Art. “The Expansion project we are embarking upon will allow us to offer amenities that will drive sustainability for the Museum and ensure a lasting cultural legacy.”

The Tampa Museum of Art announced in November 2021 that the New York-based design team of WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism would design the expansion. C. Samuel Ellison of Ellison Advisors, LLC will be the owner’s representative during the construction of the Museum’s expansion project.

Site Redevelopment

During the expansion project, the Museum’s surrounding site will be redefined to create new riverfront public terraces, sculpture parks, redesigned entrance plazas, outdoor dining and improved dog parks. As a continuation of Tampa’s Riverwalk, a sloped walk will bring pedestrians down to the river edge from the ground floor level. An outdoor amphitheater adjacent to the Museum’s indoor auditorium will serve as a shaded gathering place. With new native planting and shade trees, the Museum’s ground floor terrace will be accessible from the Riverwalk, creating a seamless and integrated public experience around the Museum and the park.

Grand Lobby

The new lobby will be accessible from both Curtis Hixon Park and Gasparilla Plaza. It will enhance the visitor experience with almost 12,000 square feet dedicated to a newly covered entrance, lobby, store, and restaurant. With an 18-foot ceiling height, this new first-floor space will provide ample space for exhibiting art within view of a new full-service restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining.

Auditorium

With exterior glazing along its West façade, the 150-seat auditorium will overlook the Hillsborough River, providing an inside-outside visual connection that defines the space. Equipped with a green room, sprung floor, projectors, AV system, and theatrical lighting, a range of events can be accommodated here: lectures, recitals, film screenings and multimedia performances. The space will be lined with acoustic wood panels and acoustically isolated from the event space above. A pre-function foyer space will serve as a flexible space on the mezzanine level before and after events.

Flexible Event Space and Digital Exhibition Wall

The large event space features a panoramic view of downtown Tampa, the University of Tampa, the Hillsborough River, and the Straz Center. With a 30-foot-tall ceiling equipped with a flexible AV and lighting system, it can host a myriad of exhibition and event configurations, transforming from a flexible digital gallery space to a private event space that can accommodate a seated dinner for 500 people and a dance floor. The adjacent catering kitchen will service the space when used for private events.

Sculpture Terrace

The new sculpture terrace will connect the existing Sullivan Terrace and the expansion’s second floor. The design will allow sculptures on display to be visible day and night from the Riverwalk and provide a connecting bridge to the new exhibition and event spaces.

Rooftop Spaces

On the fourth-floor rooftop, the interior space will house a flexible bar and accommodate a 100-person gathering, while the adjacent sculpture terrace provides a canopy with a circular oculus for various programming. A demonstration/test kitchen will be incorporated into the interior rooftop space where the Museum will add culinary arts classes to its educational programs.

Sustainability

The new building footprint significantly increases the Museum’s ability to go beyond its strategic plan of offering more exhibition and education programming to the community. All the new additional programable spaces add many more opportunities for income-generation activities into the institution’s business model through an increase in services and retail offerings to additional yearly visitors. With the new business model for the reconfigured space, the Museum will meet, and in some cases exceed, national averages of support and revenue, establishing Tampa’s cultural legacy for generations to come.

About The Beck Group

The Beck Group is a collaborative team of architects, builders, and technology experts transforming how its clients’ design and build. The century-old firm is the largest design-build firm in the United States, with 1000 employees in ten offices across the U.S. and Mexico. To learn more about Beck and how it designs and builds better communities, visit beckgroup.com.

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Categories
Centennial Campaign News

Cornelia Corbett Appointed New Chair of Tampa Museum of Art Centennial Capital Campaign

TAMPA, Fla. (July 9, 2024) — The Tampa Museum of Art today announced Cornelia Corbett has been named chair of its ambitious Centennial Capital Campaign. Corbett steps into the leadership role following the recent passing of the campaign’s former chairman, A. G. “Jerry” Divers, who died after a brief illness in mid-May.

Corbett has been a steadfast supporter of the museum for over a quarter of a century. She has previously served as chair of the museum’s Board of Trustees and is a current member of the Tampa Museum Foundation Board. Her deep involvement in the ongoing Centennial Campaign as a member of the Centennial Campaign Cabinet positions her well to steer the campaign toward its transformative goals.

Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Corbett remarked, “Jerry Divers spent decades as a champion of the Tampa Museum of Art, and I have been honored to work with him on not one but two capital campaigns over the past two decades to ensure that Tampa has a world-class art museum.”

“Jerry never missed an opportunity to share his excitement and enthusiasm about what the museum could accomplish with the bold expansion of the facilities this capital campaign will underwrite.” The Centennial Campaign will allow the museum facilities to grow from 69,000 square feet to 120,000 square feet and to expand the exhibition and collection spaces from 14,800 square feet to 43,000 square feet. Once the expansion is complete, the new facilities will allow the Museum to serve 24,000 Hillsborough County school students annually.

Corbett’s vision for the future is clear: “I am honored and humbled to take on this role and to continue working with the Tampa Museum Foundation Board and the Museum Board of Trustees to accomplish the mission that Jerry Divers’ dedicated leadership has provided since the campaign was launched in 2019.”

Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art, expressed his confidence in Corbett’s leadership: “Cornie Corbett is a deeply committed, no-nonsense advocate of the missions she undertakes. By becoming the leader of the Centennial Capital Campaign at this crucial time, the museum is confident that her perseverance will ensure that Jerry Divers’ vision of a stunning expansion will be achieved at the Tampa Museum of Art.”

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News

TMA Board Member Ron Christaldi Selected as Chair of Leadership Florida Board of Directors

TAMPA, FL — We are thrilled to share that Tampa Museum of Art Board Member, Ron Christaldi, has been selected as the Chair of the Leadership Florida Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 term. A distinguished business lawyer and community leader, Ron’s new role with Leadership Florida is a testament to his deep commitment to fostering leadership and progress across the state.

As Vice-Chair of the Tampa Museum of Art’s Governing Board of Trustees, Ron’s dedication to leadership extends into the arts, enriching our community’s cultural and developmental initiatives. His extensive experience and strategic insight will greatly benefit Leadership Florida’s mission to cultivate leadership throughout the state, which aligns with our goals at the museum of driving community engagement and growth.

We are excited about the possibilities this appointment holds for strengthening leadership within Florida. The museum family looks forward to supporting Ron in his new role and continuing our collaborative efforts to make a positive impact.

For more details, visit Shumaker.com to read the full press release.

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News

TMA Unveils ‘Suchitra Mattai: Bodies and Souls’ Exhibition

Tampa, FL – The Tampa Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the opening of Suchitra Mattai: Bodies and Souls, the first solo museum exhibition in Florida and the Southeast for the acclaimed artist Suchitra Mattai. This groundbreaking exhibition will be on view from June 22, 2024, through March 16, 2025.

Suchitra Mattai: Bodies and Souls delves into themes of migration, matriarchy, and materiality, spotlighting Mattai’s innovative use of found materials, such as vintage saris. Through wrapping, braiding, stitching, and weaving these fabrics, Mattai creates works that serve as powerful allegories for historical and personal narratives. The exhibition features new installations alongside recent works, reflecting the artist’s ongoing exploration of the past and present.

In 2021, the Tampa Museum of Art received Mattai’s mixed-media painting Alter Ego (2020) as a gift. This captivating work, which features colorful saris and patterned fabric fragments, inspired the Bodies and Souls exhibition, reflecting its depiction of dual female silhouettes, symbolizing the dual identity of migrants as both newcomers and outsiders.

Born in Guyana, Mattai is of Indo-Caribbean descent and holds a BA in Statistics from Rutgers University, an MA in South Asian Art, and an MFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2023, she was honored with an Anonymous Was a Woman Award and a Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship. Her work is part of numerous prestigious collections, including the Nasher Museum of Art, Joslyn Art Museum, Denver Art Museum, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, and the Portland Museum of Art.

Beyond the Tampa Museum of Art, Mattai’s work will be featured in solo exhibitions at ICA San Francisco, Socrates Sculpture Park, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in 2024. She currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California.

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Centennial Campaign News

Mourning the Loss of a Pillar of our Museum Community

Dear Museum Supporters and Friends,  

It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of A. G. “Jerry” Divers, a steadfast champion of our Tampa Museum of Art. Jerry’s unwavering dedication and visionary leadership have left an indelible mark on this Museum, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.  

As we mourn Jerry’s passing, we also reflect on his legacy and the profound impact he has made on our Museum community.  Jerry’s involvement with the Tampa Museum of Art over a 40-year stretch has been characterized by a remarkable dedication to growth and his ability to unite visionaries from our community to shape Tampa Bay’s cultural future.   

Jerry exemplified excellence in every role he undertook, serving as Tampa Museum of Art Board Chair from 1990–1992 and Campaign Committee Chair from 2003–2006; then again for the Centennial Campaign from 2018–2024. Until his passing, Jerry held prominent positions as Tampa Museum of Art Foundation Board President and a member of the Board of Trustees and its Executive Committee, as well as a seat on the Foundation’s Legacy and Investment Committees. His leadership has been pivotal in guiding the Tampa Museum of Art Centennial Campaign Cabinet, overseeing the transformative project resulting in our newly renovated campus and our upcoming 51,000 square foot, $100+ million expansion, for which he was one of our greatest champions. We are so thankful we were able to honor him at our most recent Pavilion gala. 

Jerry played a vital role in the Tampa Museum of Art’s development for more than four decades, and it is difficult to imagine our Museum’s life without him. His vision and advocacy for the Museum will be remembered forever. 

We extend our gratitude to the Divers family for sharing Jerry with us all these years, and we express our sincerest condolences to them.  

With heartfelt thanks and respect for a true luminary in our Tampa Museum of Art family,   

Michael A. Tomor  

Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director, Tampa Museum of Art  

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News

New Galleries at Tampa Museum of Art Showcase Largest Display of Antiquities Collection to Date

A new exhibit, which opened on April 18, features 85 artworks from the Tampa Museum of Art’s permanent antiquities collection, adding to the over 500 objects already on view. Thanks to additional gallery spaces added during the Museum’s Centennial Renovation 2023, this is the largest proportion of the Museum’s permanent collection of ancient Greek and Roman antiquities ever on display at one time.

Joseph Veach Noble: Through the Eye of a Collector displays artworks the Tampa Museum of Art acquired from the eminent collection of Joseph Veach Noble for the first time since 1986. Mr. Noble was an administrator at the Metropolitan Museum and later director of the Museum of the City of New York, who amassed perhaps the largest private collection of ancient Greek and Italian ceramic vases.

“The breadth of themes, styles, forms, and techniques within the Noble collection of Greek and Italian vases is of international renown. Upon completing our Centennial Renovation project last year, we knew we had to seize the first opportunity to spotlight this collection more fully,” said Michael Tomor, Ph.D., the Penny and Jeff Vinik Executive Director of the Tampa Museum of Art. “For the first time, our expanded galleries allow us to collectively illuminate important aspects of the Noble collection, including ancient Athenian myth and religion, warfare and athletics, wine culture and cosmetics, daily life and entertainment.”

The Tampa Museum of Art’s 1986 acquisition from Noble’s collection became the cornerstone of its burgeoning permanent collection of antiquities that has since grown to about  875 objects (and counting). The Centennial Renovation provided for enhanced gallery spaces, allowing the museum to feature exhibitions such as the Noble collection. The renovation project also expanded the gallery space for multimedia projections and more kinetic exhibitions. In addition, the renovations added state-of-the-art storage for enhanced maintenance operations. The Centennial Renovation project also included the following transformations:

  • The education department expanded from 1,400 square feet to the 8,000-square-foot Vinik Family Education Center, with its own entrances and exits so programs can take place outside regular exhibition gallery hours. The Vinik Family Education Center also features new, expanded student exhibition spaces.
  • Areas previously occupied by administrative and curatorial storage functions were renovated to include lecture rooms, classrooms, and artist workspaces.
  • A new Docent Lounge allows volunteers and staff to meet in a designated area to plan programs and receive instruction about exhibitions and the permanent collection from staff. 

Fundraising continues for the next phase of the Centennial Campaign, a 51,000 sq. ft. expansion of the museum’s footprint, creating an interconnected series of multi-functional spaces that will more than triple the current 7,200 sq. ft. of event space. A new 150-seat, raked-floor auditorium, an art lounge, a large event space with digital exhibition opportunities, and a rooftop sculpture terrace will provide flexible settings for a wide range of art and cultural programming. An additional 72,000 sq. ft. surrounding site redevelopment that includes outdoor dining and sculpture areas will bring life and art to the redeveloped public spaces along Curtis Hixon Park and the Tampa Riverwalk. This phase of the comprehensive and expansive master plan will create a more vibrant space for art and our community. Support of this project will connect the community, inspire individuals, and contribute to the economic health of the Tampa Bay region.

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News

‘Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration’ Unites Five Bay Area Museums in an Innovative Art Exhibition

The highly anticipated Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration exhibition is set to be showcased at five leading art institutions across the Tampa Bay area this year. The museums participating in this triennial exhibition—the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg; The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art; Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design; the Tampa Museum of Art; and the University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum—are proud to announce their joint effort in presenting this groundbreaking showcase.

Skyway 2024 embodies the theme of boundless exploration and unity, reflecting the limitless potential of artistic expression in the region. This collaborative effort will feature a diverse array of contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and multimedia presentations by 63 artists and art collectives living and working in the Tampa Bay area.

Exhibition Dates and Artists

Each museum will host a distinct grouping of Tampa Bay area artists and art collectives in Skyway 2024, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to embark on a comprehensive journey through the vibrant contemporary art landscape of the Tampa Bay region.

On view at The Ringling from May 25 through January 26, 2025: Caitlin Albritton, Ainaz Alipour, Mohsen Azar, Saumitra Chandratreya, Elisabeth Condon, Robyn “Avalon” Crosa, Rachel de Cuba, Jake Fernandez, Akiko Kotani, Carol Mickett and Robert Stackhouse, Libbi Ponce, Michael Vasquez, and Joo Woo.

On view at the MFA St. Petersburg from July 13 through November 3, 2024: Will Douglas, Kendra Frorup, Emily Martinez, Cynthia Mason, Carola Miles, Anat Pollack, and Emiliano Settecasi.

On view at the USF Contemporary Art Museum from July 19 through November 23, 2024: Elisabeth Condon, Keith Crowley, John Gurbacs, Karen Tucker Kuykendall, Caui Lofgren, Bruce Marsh, Eric Ondina, Sebastian Ore Blas, Andres Ramirez, Bradford Robotham, Erin Titus, and Susanna Wallin.

On view at Sarasota Art Museum from July 28 through October 27, 2024: Kim Anderson, Ryan Day, Sue Havens, Dominique Labauvie, Tatiana Mesa Paján, Samantha Modder, Roger Clay Palmer, Herion Park, Gabriel Ramos, Eszter Sziksz, Jill Taffet, Rob Tarbell, Kirk Ke Wang, Willow Wells, and Corinne Zepeda.

On view at the Tampa Museum of Art from August 28 through January 5, 2025: Marc Brechwald, Samo Davis, Aesopbookofrot (Danielle Dragani), Joe Fig, Adrian Gomez, JD Hardy, Sami Harthoorn, Cort Hartle, Latonya Hicks, Dallas Jackson, Aimee Jones, Candace Knapp, David Mack, David McCauley, Marina Shalthout, David Sibbitt, Yajaira Urzua-Reyes, and Corinne Zepeda.

Collaborative Curation and Community Engagement

The selection of artworks for Skyway 2024 was a collaborative endeavor, with curatorial teams from each museum working together to showcase the region’s dynamic and varied artistic talents. Museum curators reviewed over 300 submissions in response to an open call to artists from Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. This initiative highlights local artists’ creativity and strengthens the community’s connection to contemporary art. The curators working together for this third iteration of Skyway include the following:

  • Evan Garza, Guest Juror for Skyway 2024 and Independent Curator
  • Christopher Jones, the Stanton B. and Nancy W. Kaplan Curator of Photography and Media Art, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
  • Katherine Pill, Senior Curator of Contemporary Art, Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg
  • Joanna Robotham, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Tampa Museum of Art
  • Christian Viveros-Fauné, Curator-at-Large, USF Contemporary Art Museum
  • Ola Wlusek, the Keith D. Monda Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
  • Rangsook Yoon, Ph.D., Senior Curator, Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College of Art and Design

Anticipated Impact and Legacy

Skyway 2024: A Contemporary Collaboration is more than an exhibition; it is a celebration of artistic innovation and a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Tampa Bay art community. This project promises to leave a lasting impact on the region by shining a spotlight on the artistic voices of the central gulf-coast Florida region, inspiring future generations of artists and art enthusiasts alike.

A full-color catalog will accompany the exhibition. It will include curatorial essays and information about each artist and their work.

This exhibition is supported by the Gobioff Foundation and the Stanton Storer Embrace the Arts Foundation.

For more information, visit the official Skyway 2024 website at skywaytampabay.com

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News

A Legacy of Artistry: ‘Embellish Me’ Exhibition Opens at Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art is delighted to announce the opening of Embellish Me: Works from the Collection of Norma Canelas Roth and William Roth, an exquisite showcase of vivid canvases, intricate embroidery, and opulent gold foil and mosaics. Running from February 17 through July 28, 2024, this exhibition is a celebration of sumptuous artistry and a tribute to the late Norma Canelas Roth, a fervent advocate for underrepresented art.

Embellish Me explores the journey from pattern painting to elaborate fiber works, capturing the spirit of artists who indulge in the extravagant and defy conventional restraint. It’s a testament to the influence of feminism in art, with many pieces elevating techniques and color palettes traditionally linked to women artists.

Curated in memory of Norma Canelas Roth, the exhibition draws from her and William Roth’s extensive collection, highlighting pieces associated with the Pattern and Decoration movement. This impressive collection reflects Norma Canelas Roth’s enduring passion for art, Puerto Rican heritage, and Florida roots.

Visitors to the Tampa Museum of Art will be treated to works from celebrated artists such as Rudy Autio, Lynda Benglis, and Miriam Schapiro, among others. This diverse group of artists represents the breadth and depth of the Roths’ collection and their commitment to showcasing a variety of artistic expressions.

“Embellish Me” is not just an exhibition; it is a vibrant legacy of Norma Canelas Roth’s life and her unyielding dedication to collecting impactful art. The Tampa Museum of Art is proud to partner with the Patricia & Philip Frost Art Museum at FIU to bring this significant collection to the public.

Join us at the Tampa Museum of Art to experience the lavish world of “Embellish Me” and celebrate the artistic contributions of Norma Canelas Roth and the many talented artists featured in this unique exhibition.

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News

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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