TUCSON, Ariz. - The museum of art is celebrating a generous gift of $1.5 million.
The donation was made by benefactor Alice and Paul Baker. The amount is the largest donation ever to the museum.
The money will be used to expand the museum's art and education program and fund the renovation of the Education Center.
In addition, the Bakers will be donating most of their pre-Columbian and Latin American art collection to the musueum.
“To honor this historic gift and recognize Alice Baker's long-term commitment to TMA, the Education Center will be re-named the Alice Baker Center for Art Education,” said Jeremy Mikolajczak, Chief Executive Officer of TMA.
Alice Baker is an emeritus member of the museum’s Board of Trustees, serving for more than 27 years, and is also a vocal advocate for arts education. They've been involved with the Tucson Museum of Art for more than 30 years.
In 2001, the couple supported the founding of the Palice Pavilion.
The renovated Alice Baker Center for Art Education will include four new classrooms, a state-of-the-art auditorium, a new research library, conference room, new exterior finishes, and renovated administrative offices. A groundbreaking is planned for early spring, with completion and opening in early summer 2019.
