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Barnes clears hurdle in relocation battle - Front Page

Art in America, Nov, 2003 by Stephanie Cash

The Barnes Foundation is making slow but steady progress in its bid to relocate its renowned and beleaguered collection from founder Albert C. Barnes's former mansion in Lower Merion, Pa., to a site in central Philadelphia, just down the street from the Philadelphia Museum of Art [see "Front Page," Nov. '02]. In September, Lincoln University--which, according Barnes's will, nominates four of the foundation's five board members--agreed to withdraw its petition objecting to the move; further, it agreed to relinquish majority control over the make-up of the board and allow for its expansion from five to 15 members, of which the university would nominate five. The Montgomery County Orphans' Court, which hears estate-related matters, must approve the changes to the foundation's charter that make possible the board expansion and the eventual move. Judge Stanley M. Ott is scheduled to hear the case in December, with a ruling expected next year. The state attorney general has already approved the relocation.

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In late September, a vociferous group of current and former Barnes students filed a motion to participate in the suit opposing the move. An earlier request by the students--when Lincoln was still actively opposing the relocation--was denied by the court. The group claims that the relocation would essentially turn the collection and school into a museum and seriously compromise Barnes's express wish that his modern-art treasures be used only for educational purposes.

The board expansion would enable the Barnes to assemble a group of trustees with more fundraising potential, one that could support the institution and rebuild its endowment. The $10-million endowment established by Barnes was depleted in recent years by building upgrades and legal battles under former Barnes director Richard Glanton. One of those lawsuits actually helped the foundation earn money. The Barnes won court permission to send works from its collection on an international tour, beginning in 1993, while the mansion was being renovated. Though that tour garnered $17 million, the funds were quickly exhausted along with the endowment.

When and if the collection does move, a spokesperson for the foundation told A.i.A., the intention is to preserve Albert Barnes's unique ensembles of paintings, metal work and African and Medieval objects, though the question of duplicating the warm wall colors was less clear. There have also been discussions about re-creating the mansion within the new building.

Last year, the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Lenfest and Annenberg foundations offered to bail the Barnes out of financial trouble, but only if it relocates. They would help raise $150 million for a new building and endowment, and cover legal fees incurred in the process of seeking court approval for the move. According to a spokesperson for the Barnes, the five existing board members will nominate the additional 10 trustees; the Annenberg, Lenfest and Pew charities will have a one-time right to review those nominations. Cable TV tycoon Gerry Lenfest is quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer as saying that "it was fruitless to continue if Lincoln was not going to give up their control of the Barnes board," and that the newly configured Barnes must be independent of any outside institution. After the legal troubles under Glanton, who was also e Lincoln trustee, the Barnes board determined that none of its members could be affiliated with the school to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

Not surprisingly, the proposed move has its critics. John Anderson, author of Art Held Hostage: The Battle Over the Barnes Collection, wrote an editorial in the Wall Street Journal claiming that the cash-strapped Lincoln is essentially being paid off in exchange for withdrawing its objection to the move. He noted that Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell has promised to free up $50 million in state funds for the school, work to obtain another $30 million over the next three years, and help raise $100 million for its endowment. Anderson also criticizes the local press for depicting the three philanthropies as "the Barnes's saviors, rather than the victors in a hostile takeover."

Barnes clears hurdle in relocation battle - Front Page

Art in America, Nov, 2003 by Stephanie Cash

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