The Barnes Foundation is, in the words of The New Yorker’s art critic, Peter Schjeldahl, “a work of art in itself . . . . Altering so much as a molecule of one of the greatest art installations I have ever seen would be an aesthetic crime.” A powerful alliance of philanthropic entities -- The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Annenberg Foundation, and The Lenfest Foundation – joined by political and commercial interests, are working to move the Barnes art collection to Philadelphia. See a list of who’s backing the move. Friends of the Barnes has filed a Petition in Montgomery County Orphans’ Court that seeks new hearings on the Barnes Foundation. Donations to the Legal Defense Fund are urgently needed. Artists for the Barnes is a new campaign to support the Legal Defense Fund. Montgomery County has filed a separate petition in Montgomery County Orphans’ Court that also seeks new hearings. A secure future in Merion: Friends of the Barnes Foundation and others have proposed Sensible Solutions for the Barnes that will allow it to thrive as a cultural treasure in its Merion home. On-going developments • On February 29, 2008, a Brief was filed by Eric F. Spade, Esq. on behalf of Friends of the Barnes Foundation in response to Preliminary Objections filed by the Barnes Foundation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General in October 2007. The Brief presents the position that circumstances have changed significantly since the December 2004 Ruling by Montgomery County Orphans’ Court that permitted, but did not require, removal of the Barnes Foundation artwork from its historic home in Merion. Those new circumstances include a $50,000,000.00 purchase leaseback proposal from Montgomery County to the Barnes Foundation and a Lower Merion Township Ordinance that would permit visitation to the site to more than double. These developments eliminate the financial crisis of the Barnes Foundation and permit adherence to the express intent of Albert Barnes for the Foundation to remain in Merion. For more information, see the FBF Press Release of February 29, 2008. • October 19, 2007 marked an important development when Judge Stanley Ott moved the Barnes matter to the next level in Montgomery County Orphans' Court. Speaking to a packed courtroom, the judge acknowledged receipt of two petitions, one filed by Friends of the Barnes Foundaiton and the other by Montgomery County. Judge Ott set a briefing schedule for the parties to respond to the petitions, with the Barnes Foundation and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office filing a brief within 30 dyas. Attorney Mark Schwartz, Esq. for Friends of the Barnes Foundation and Carolyn Carluccio, Esq., Deputy Solitictor for Montomgery County are to file their briefs 30 days later. Attorney for Friends of the Barnes Foundation, Mark D. Schwartz requested oral arguments and also raised the option for the court to act sua sponte or "on his own" to explore the facts in the petitions right away. While he did not completely rule it out, Judge Ott said he would not act sua sponte at this time, but will take the time to review the briefs filed by the parties involved. For more information about the event, see Cheryl Allison's Article in The Main Line Times and Main Line Life, "It's Not Over Yet." • Judge Stanley Ott has issued Citations and Orders requiring members of the Barnes Board of Trustees to appear in Montgomery County Orphans' Court to respond to the two petitions filed by Montgomery County and Friends of the Barnes and others. • On September 12, 2007, Montgomery County filed its petition to preserve the Barnes Foundation in Montgomery County Orphans' Court. For a summary, see the FBF Press Release of September 17, 2007. • On August 27, 2007, Friends of the Barnes Foundation filed its petition to preserve the Barnes Foundation in Merion, seeking to oust the current Board of Trustees, and place the Barnes Foundation in receivership. For additional information, see FBF Press Release of August 27, 2007. For more information, see articles in the News, Informations and Commentary Section. • United States Congressional Representative Jim Gerlach, together with Montgomery County Commissioners Ellis, Matthews, Damsker, and Lower Merion Township Commissioner Brian Gordon have written a letter to Pennsylvania Attorney General Corbett urging him to re-examine and reverse his support of the move of the Barnes. • A secret appropriation of $100 million of Pennsylvania taxpayer funds for construction of a building to house the Barnes art collection in Philadelphia was passed two years before the Court granted permission for the move of the art collection • Montgomery County Commissioners have offered $50 million in endowment support that would cost Pennsylvania taxpayers nothing. The offer was refused by the Board of the Barnes Foundation. • A Lower Merion Township Ordinance will permit attendance to the Barnes Foundation to increase by more than 135% • An Assessment Report, funded by Friends of the Barnes Foundation concluded that The Barnes Foundation, in its entirety, is eligible to be considered for National Historic Landmark status. A letter was sent to the Chairman of the Barnes Foundation Board of Trustees, Bernard Watson conveying the encouraging response from the National Park Service program on National Historic Landmarks. A formal nomination requires the support of the Barnes Board. Friends of the Barnes Foundation has requested this support, but has not yet received a response to proceed. |
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