Munson For All
The Campaign for the Next Generation
Since opening our doors in 1936, Munson has become the center of arts and culture in the region, an identity built by generations of people who believed that art belongs to everyone. Anticipating the needs of future generations, we are making vital changes in order to serve our community better and encourage a greater number of visitors.
The Munson For All campaign deepens our community engagement, refreshes the Museum of Art visitor experience, and strengthens the creative spirit that has always defined this place and its people. To do this well, we need your support.
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Munson’s $9.5 Million Campaign
Munson has launched a $9.5 million campaign to fund key renovations in the Museum that will expand community access, capacity, and engagement. We want people to come to Munson, feel at home, and stay a while. Exterior capital improvements are complete, making the outside of the Museum more inviting. Interior renovations will start soon, making our spaces more welcoming and engaging.
Capital Improvements
Revitalized Interactive Gallery
Art Odyssey, Munson’s interactive gallery for young visitors and the young at heart, has been central to the Museum experience for more than two decades. This campaign will transform it into a vibrant, welcoming space on the Museum’s first floor, adjacent to the Root Court. Featuring hands-on activities, digital interactives, and artmaking experiences connected to the Museum’s collection, the reimagined Art Odyssey will spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and foster a sense of belonging through meaningful encounters with art.
New Museum Café
A new Cafe will open in the Root Court, serving gourmet coffees and light refreshments and providing visitors the opportunity to pause and reflect, gather and discuss, or just enjoy relaxing in a beautiful setting. The Cafe will also serve as a staging area for catered events, allowing the Museum’s Root Court to serve as one of the most beautiful event spaces in the Mohawk Valley.
Expanded Museum Store
The campaign will enable Munson to combine its two retail operations--the Museum Shop and the School of Art Campus Store--into one expanded experience located by the Museum’s parking lot entrance. A thoughtfully curated inventory of unique gifts, locally created artist-made objects, and high-end art supplies will offer something for everyone.
More Welcoming Streetfront
With help from New York State and several private donors, Munson has already implemented renovations to our Genesee Street landscape. More than 14 new shade trees line the street. Public gardens border the Museum’s front lawn, and a new public plaza offers outdoor event space and universal access to the Museum.
Facility and System Upgrades
The campaign will enable us to update our 1960s restrooms with ADA-compliant facilities, improved ventilation, and widened doorways. We will also create a wellness room, modernize our lighting controls, and enhance the air handling system, increasing building efficiency and comfort for all.
Community Engagement
Community Partnerships
For decades, Munson has provided free tours and arts education programs to thousands of children annually. By partnering with community organizations, we extend our reach and make Munson more accessible to all. Today, Munson collaborates with more than 60 local partners, including Thea Bowman House, Utica Public Library, The Center, Midtown Utica Community Center, and Junior Frontiers, serving more than 11,000 children per year. Munson For All will strengthen these partnerships and expand opportunities for even more people to experience the power of art, learning, and community.
Expanding Access to the Arts
Munson For All will establish a dedicated Community Engagement Fund to sustain and grow vital free and low-cost programs, including Art Alive! Family Days and free summer arts classes for children. Increased resources will help remove barriers, deepen relationships with community partners, and expand outreach to underserved neighborhoods. By investing in access, Munson will ensure that more individuals and families can discover, create, and connect through the arts.
