The Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston has received a $25 million donation from the Wyss Foundation for its ongoing renovation.
Apart from various other renovations, the funds would be used to build three new gallery spaces on the first floor of the Evans Wing of the MFA. Scheduled to be opened next fall, these galleries would be named after Hansjörg Wyss and his late wife Rosamund Zander. Wyss, whose namesake foundation made the massive contribution, is also an honorary MFA adviser. His wife was an artist and environmentalist. Matthew Teitelbaum (director of the museum) said: “This moment marks a new chapter for modern art at the MFA, and we’re incredibly grateful to Hansjörg Wyss and his foundation for their generosity. This gift honors Hansjörg’s lifelong journey in the world of art, spanning Europe and America, enabling us to create transformative experiences for generations to come. It allows us, as well, to share parts of our collection that are generally underrepresented, encouraging further study and recognition in our global museum.”
The Boston-based gallery is currently undergoing a massive renovation. The plans primarily concern better maintenance and exhibition of the museum’s massive 20th-century art collection. It includes hiring staff for the new curatorial and conservator positions. It also includes massive architectural changes in the museum that would create four new galleries over 5,665 square feet of new space. Apart from the 3 galleries dedicated to Wyss, a fourth gallery dedicated to modern sculptures will open by the spring of 2025.
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In a statement, Hansjörg Wyss said: “I am honored to have the opportunity to support the MFA’s efforts to reimagine the display of its 20th-century arts collections and highlight underrepresented artists. Promoting the arts and enabling discovery has been at the core of the Wyss Foundation’s mission, and I’m grateful to the MFA for their support in expanding those efforts to a museum with deep significance for myself and my late wife, Rosamund Zander. I know she would be overjoyed that a new generation will be able to experience the same collections that sparked her lifelong love for the arts.”
