LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) -- The Speed Art Museum is giving you a chance to be a part of their collection.
Starting two years ago, the Speed has put works of art from its collection up for adoption.
The program is a way for the museum to do vital restoration work on works of art while also establishing a more personal connection between the public and the museum.
Those who adopt an artwork will be invited to become part of the restoration process, receiving a short dossier on the work they’ve adopted and the ability to discuss with the curator the issues surrounding the piece.
Sponsors will also have the option of having their names appear on the plaque in the gallery when the work is reinstalled.
While the museum was closed for renovations two years ago, Chief Curator Erika Holmquist-Wall and museum staff had the opportunity to take stock of the entire collection to determine which pieces needed work done. Holmquist-Wall says with the help of conservators they identified eligible pieces that run the gamut.
“There are about 50 works of art—whether it’s works on paper, drawings, prints, paintings, sculpture, Roman sarcophagi, medieval reliquaries—whatever it is that tickles your fancy, it’s there.”
Eligible pieces also vary in price. An 1833 lithograph depicting the French King Louis-Philippe is available for adoption for $1,125, which will go towards the cleaning and reinforcing of the woven paper on which it was created.
A Roman sarcophagus from the 3rd century will set you back $28,560, which will help conservators fix previous repairs that disfigured the piece and clean away surface grime.
But don’t be daunted by the prospect of taking on the cost all on your own—the Speed encourages friends, families, companies and others to jointly adopt artwork to make the process more attainable for everyone involved.
Holmquist-Wall says no matter what approach you take the program is valuable for both the public and the museum.
“It creates buy-in from the general public, because we hold these works in the public trust and we’re the stewards of this incredible collection,” Holmquist-Wall says. “We’ve been able to adopt a number of artworks so far. We still have many to go, but because it connects an artwork to a person or a group of people forever, they know that they have left a little bit of a legacy here at the Speed.”
There are currently more than 50 works of art eligible for adoption, with more on the way. You can view those works and find more information on how to adopt an artwork at speedmuseum.org.