Art museum awarded $800K for capital campaign

The Springfield Art Museum announced $800,000 in new commitments to its capital campaign.

The gifts comprise $500,000 from the Hatch Foundation, $100,000 from Johnny and Jeanie Morris, $100,000 from campaign co-chairs Tom and Kim Prater and $100,000 from an anonymous donor, according to a news release.

“These commitments come at a vital time," said Nick Nelson, the museum's director, in the release.

Last month, museum and city officials held a ribbon-cutting event for improvements to the attraction's grounds, according to past reporting. The city additionally issued a request for qualifications for the design of the museum's planned renovation and expansion project.

"As we celebrate the public and private investments that have allowed completion of our site plan projects to date, we now turn our attention to the critical building work that will transform our facility’s ability to serve and educate a 21st century audience," Nelson said in the release.

The funding from the Springfield-based Hatch Foundation, which has a focus on recreation and beautification projects, is a naming-level donation for The Hatch Foundation Lawn in front of the amphitheater.

The Morrises’ donation also comes with naming rights for the Johnny and Jeanie Morris Footbridge recognizing the Bass Pro Shops founder and his wife, according to the release.

The art museum's fundraising goal is $25 million. Exterior improvements, as well as new educational, public and community spaces, are part of the planned work at 1111 E. Brookside Drive in the Phelps Grove neighborhood, according to past reporting.