Barnes clears hurdle in relocation battle - Front Page

The Barnes Foundation is making deliberate but steady progress in its bid to relocate its renowned and beleaguered collection from originator Albert C. Barnes's former mansion in Lower Merion, Pa., to a site in central Philadelphia, just down the way 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 dominion government 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 shire 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 stir Judge Stanley M. Ott is scheduled to hear the case in December, with a ruling awaited next year. The state attorney general has already approved the relocation.

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

The board expansion would enable the Barnes to assemble a clump of trustees with more fundraising potential, individual that could support the institution and rebuild its endowment. The $10-million endowment established by means of Barnes was depleted in new years by building upgrades and legal battles below former Barnes director Richard Glanton. individual of those lawsuits actually helped the foundation earn currency The Barnes won court permission to project works from its collection upon an international tour, beginning in 1993 while the mansion was being renovated. admitting that tour garnered $17 million, the stocks were quickly exhausted along with the endowment.

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

Last year, the slip Charitable Trusts and the Lenfest and Annenberg foundations proffered to bail the Barnes without of financial trouble, but solitary if it relocates. They would help raise $150 million for a novel building and endowment, and overlay legal fees incurred in the proces of seeking court approval for the impel According to a spokesperson for the Barnes, the five existing board members will nominate the additional 10 trustees; the Annenberg, Lenfest and slip charities will have a one-time right to review those nominations. Cable TV emperor of japan 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 command of the Barnes board," and that the newly configured Barnes must be independent of any outside institution. After the legal disarranges under Glanton, who was also e Lincoln trustee, the Barnes board determined that none of its members could be affiliated with the institute to avoid any appearance of impropriety.

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

COPYRIGHT 2003 Brant Publications, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group