There is always a silver lining, even to a tough pandemic year wrought with closures, layoffs and deficits. For the Minneapolis Institute of Art, that silver lining rings to the tune of more than $19 million.
Mia announced five gifts Thursday that will allow it to create two new posts — a first-ever curator of Latin American art and a chief diversity and inclusion officer who will join the museum's leadership team.
The gifts are part of a drive to build Mia's operating endowment following its first budget deficit in 27 years.
"It's been a fruitful time, taking advantage of the passions of our supporters of Mia during this hard time," said Director Katie Luber, who started work right before the pandemic hit. "It's been an incredible outpouring of generosity, support and recognition of the need for different kinds of diversity."
This round of endowment gifts is the highest amount since Mia's last capital campaign in 2001-06.
The gifts also will provide support for the museum's recently reinstalled South, Southeast Asian and Chinese Art galleries and the leadership post of deputy director/chief operating officer.
Mia's operating endowment — basically, an investment fund that generates income to fund the museum's operations — is valued at $302 million, but about 45% is dedicated solely to art acquisitions.
Identifying needs
Luber said she identified the need for a diversity officer soon after she started in January 2020.