“Rebuilding Illinois means investing in all types of infrastructure that improve communities and the quality of life for local residents…investment in the museums protect our cultural heritage and offer unique programs and events for visitors to enjoy.”
Those were the words of Gov. J.B. Pritzker in an announcement of the recipients of state capital investment grants.
The Elmhurst Art Museum was awarded the maximum grant award of $750,000 from Gov. Pritzker’s Illinois Public Museum Capital Program, which represents half the funds needed to complete the museum’s upcoming HVAC and roofing renovations.
The Elmhurst Art Museum was one of thirty-six Illinois museums to receive state capital investments to improve their facilities and develop new exhibits. The investments are made possible through the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, funded by the governor’s bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program, the first in nearly a decade.
This significant grant comes on the occasion of the museum’s 25th anniversary to support an important next phase of the museum’s renovations, following McCormick House restorations and recent improvements to its galleries and Education Center. This phase will address HVAC and roofing updates for the main building. Current HVAC and roofing systems are beyond equipment life expectancies and need replacement in order to meet climate control industry standards. Completion of this facility need will provide a sustainable environment for patrons, exhibitions, and collections storage. The building improvements will allow the Museum to continue to deliver humanities and arts programming to our growing audience and community well into our next 25 years.
Since 1997, the Museum has inspired its community through art, education, and architecture. Throughout its 25th year of serving the public, the Museum will complete HVAC and roofing renovations, co-organize the popular arts festival Art in Wilder Park, host special events and fundraisers throughout the year, and produce new community outreach and exhibits with a focus on architecture (spring), education (summer), and art (fall). The anniversary year will celebrate our founders, community partners, and patrons that have helped the Museum spark creativity in our community for the last 25 years.
