
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991                   TAG: 9104120357
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK LOEB
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CUTBACKS PINCH; MUSEUM STILL PROUD

IN RESPONSE to the March 11 letter by Robert J. Hummel, I would like to provide a much more accurate picture of the many recent accomplishments of the hard-working board, staff and volunteers of the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts, especially as we are celebrating our 40th anniversary!

Like other arts organizations throughout the state, our museum is faced with funding shortages as a result of the declining economy and corresponding loss of state and federal funding. In order to adjust in these changing times, many painful decisions have been made, including staff layoffs, elimination of planned exhibitions and curtailment of expenses. We are, however, justly proud of our many accomplishments in these difficult times.

The major exhibitions of 1990-91, which included "The West Explored" and "The Commonwealth," our current collection of Australian aboriginal paintings and sculpture, and a show of photographs of children taken during the Holocaust, are indicative of the standards of excellence we continue to achieve. The popularity of these exhibitions is evidenced by the fact that our overall attendance declined only slightly more than 1 percent in 1990 from that of 1989, and figures are rising consistently this year. Our level of funding from membership, corporate contributors and underwriters increased by 14.6 percent in the first seven months of 1991 over the same period in 1990, which clearly indicates the positive support we are receiving from the community at large.

In response to many requests, beginning in June highlights of the permanent collection will once again be displayed in the second-floor galleries. As this collection has been in storage for some time, we are delighted to once again make accessible these many popular works of art. Our expanded facilities will ensure an exciting presentation of this collection.

These many accomplishments would not be possible without the support of the Docent Guild, which increased by 12 new members just this year. These dedicated individuals provide staffing for our galleries, handle our many receptions and tours, organize every mailing, and serve as enthusiastic ambassadors for us throughout the community. Without them, the activities of this museum would not be possible.

The financial challenges of the future certainly have an impact on the planning and operations of this as well as other local non-profit arts agencies. We are very fortunate to have the number of high-quality performing and visual arts organizations that add so much to the quality of life as well as to the marketability of the Roanoke Valley as a desirable place for new industry.

In order to ensure the continuation of the educational excellence offered by this and other cultural agencies, the citizens of this valley as well as those throughout Western Virginia will soon have to make a decision to more directly support our operational expenses. We face the very real possibility of further elimination of staff and programs and the inevitability of the loss of entire organizations from the lack of support.

Jack Loeb is president of the Roanoke Museum of Fine Arts.

by CNB