NEWARK, N.J., May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of America Charitable Foundation today announced that it will donate $1 million to support the expansion of The Newark Museum's educational facilities, classrooms and learning zones as well as improved visitor services for families. Additional portions of the funds will be used for future building expansions and for enhancements of its prestigious Newark Black Film Festival.
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"The Newark Museum is a critical cultural resource for the city, state and region and an important economic driver in Newark's ongoing revitalization," said Ann M. Limberg, president, Bank of America New Jersey. "The Museum's historic commitment to education is based on world-renowned collections of American, Asian, African and classical art and natural science artifacts."
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation grant will provide additional resources to reach out to more underserved individuals and enhance the Newark Black Film Festival, the nation's longest running series featuring works amplifying the African-American experience.
"The renaissance underway in Newark cannot and will not continue without strong support from the private sector. Institutions like The Newark Museum are key to the ongoing revitalization of the city," added Limberg. "This grant will give The Newark Museum the resources it needs to continue doing what it does best -- educating our children and providing some of the finest cultural experiences for New Jersey residents and visitors. Bank of America is proud to be a strong supporter of the museum as it approaches its centennial."
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who attended today's announcement, thanked Bank of America for its commitment to the people of Newark and the state.
"The Newark Museum is part of the bedrock of this great city," said Booker. "Its art collections have enlightened our children and introduced them to world cultures. It is hard to imagine this city's renaissance without this cultural gem."
The grant is part of Bank of America's corporate giving program and is being announced approximately two months after the company unveiled Bank of Opportunity™, the theme for its new brand positioning. The new branding reflects Bank of America's unique role in helping individuals, businesses and communities around the world realize opportunities to achieve their goals.
The Bank of America Charitable Foundation's grant to The Newark Museum is one of several significant philanthropic donations that have been announced over the past several weeks. Each grant addressed the critical needs of communities throughout the U.S. in which the bank operates.
The Newark Museum will utilize the grant funding to add capacity to the Junior Museum. Established in 1913, the Junior Museum has provided an entree to The Newark Museum for millions of young people. It features interactive and innovative educational tools designed to help children develop a love and understanding for art and natural science. With the funding, The Newark Museum will develop new "family friendly" experience zones in connection with its exhibits of world art to enhance children's learning experiences. The grant will also make it possible to incorporate new technology, such as family podcast tours.
"For many years, the young people of Newark and New Jersey and their families have come to The Newark Museum and have learned to appreciate world cultures based on our unparalleled collections," said Mary Sue Sweeney Price, director, The Newark Museum. "We are grateful that the critical support of partners such as Bank of America permits us to continue to serve the community as we have for nearly one hundred years."
In addition, The Newark Museum will use a portion of the grant funds to further enhance the Newark Black Film Festival. Since its inception, the NBFF has presented more than 600 critically-acclaimed films to more than 134,000 visitors. Thousands of film buffs, aspiring filmmakers, students and area residents attend Festival screenings at four locations throughout the city. Honored guests at past festivals have included James Earl Jones, Gordon Parks, Brock Peters, Spike Lee, Danny Glover, Pam Grier and other renowned celebrities.
Bank of America's support for the past six years has enabled the festival to expand to Trenton and, this summer, to Asbury Park to better serve the broader New Jersey community.
About Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy
Bank of America has embarked on an unprecedented 10-year goal to give $1.5 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the quality and vitality of their neighborhoods. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will give more than $200 million in 2007, making the bank one of the most generous corporate donors in the world. Bank of America approaches giving through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contribute more than 500,000 hours each year to improve the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.
About The Newark Museum
The Newark Museum is located at 49 Washington Street in the Downtown/Arts District of Newark, New Jersey, just 3 blocks from NJPAC and 10 miles west of New York City. The Museum is open all year round: Wednesdays through Fridays, from Noon - 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., October 1 - June 30; and Saturdays and Sundays, from Noon - 5:00 p.m., July 1 - September 30. Suggested Museum admission: Adults, $7.00; Children, Seniors and Students with valid I.D., $3.00. Members are admitted free. The Museum Cafe is open for lunches Wednesday through Sunday. Convenient parking is available for a fee. For general information, call 973-596-6550 or visit our web site, http://www.newarkmuseum.org/. The Newark Museum, a not-for-profit museum of art, science and education, receives operating support from the City of Newark; the State of New Jersey; the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; the New Jersey Cultural Trust; and corporate, foundation and individual donors. Funds for acquisitions and activities other than operations are provided by members and other contributors.
Photo: NewsCom:
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SOURCE: Bank of America
CONTACT: Lorraine McConnell of The Newark Museum, +1-973-596-6638,
lmcconnell@newarkmuseum.org; or Ernesto C. Anguilla of Bank of America,
+1-617-434-7308, ernesto.anguilla@bankofamerica.com
Web site: http://www.bankofamerica.com/foundation
http://www.newarkmuseum.org/
