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Art Building - Mulvane Renovation

The Project - New Art Building

First proposed in 2000, this $4.0 capital project included construction of a new 20,000 sq. ft. Art building and renovation of the Mulvane Art Museum and areas in Garvey Hall previously used by the Art Department.

The project provided new, safer art education classrooms and additional storage and office space. Renovation of the Mulvane Art Museum will provide permanent gallery space and better areas for community art classes.

As part of the Board's approval process, Washburn Endowment Association considered the viability of a fundraising campaign and determined that the proposed $4.0 million project was a viable fundraising project.

Failed Fundraising Effort

Consequently, when this project was proposed to the Washburn University Board of Regents in March, 2001, the financial implications were given as:

"All support for this project would come from donor support."

In December, 2001 the administration stated that the $4.0 construction costs would be funded from "fundraising efforts directed toward individual donors, foundations and corporations," with $250,000 of bond proceeds used to enhance the exterior finishes.

In November, 2003, when the project was let out for bid, the administration reported that only $1.5 million had been raised toward this "most ambitious fundraising goal." Now the Board was asked to approve the use of $2.5 million from university reserves to fill this fundraising shortfall.

Source of Funds

On July 1, 2004, $2.5 million in sales tax proceeds were transferred to fund the new art building. Over $3.5 million had been spent on the combined projects as of June 30, 2005.

The art building opened in June, 2005, with the renovation of the Mulvane Art Museum expected to be completed in Spring, 2006. So, final project costs are not available.

A Teaching Moment

A previous board member asked the administration on several occasions for summaries of capital projects when completed, but none have been forthcoming.

It would be nice to see a summary of this project that included the source of funds and expenditures, by building. A careful analysis of WEA's fundraising capabilities should be a part of that summary, especially as the Board continues the $14 million Stoffer building project with a $2.0 fundraising goal.