Williams College Museum of Art Receives
$100,000 Grant from the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2007
 
Williamstown, Mass.—The Williams College Museum of Art has been awarded $100,000 from the Ellsworth Kelly Foundation for the conservation of its modern and contemporary art collection. The grant, which is granted to institutions without an application process, was given to the Williams College Museum of Art in memory of Kirk Varnedoe, Williams Class of 1967. Varnedoe was the Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). He died in 2003 at age 57. A fund has been created at Williams College to raise money for an Endowed Professorship in his name.

The award letter, signed by Ellsworth Kelly as President of the Foundation, states, "The Ellsworth Kelly Foundation believes that the conservation and care of modern and contemporary works of art is an important mandate. We are honored to assist in the efforts to help fund the work of the conservation facility at Williams College Museum of Art."
Ellsworth Kelly is a defining figure in the recent history of art. He received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Williams College in 2005 in recognition of his international renowned accomplishments.

Williams College Museum of Art
The Williams College Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.  Contact: Suzanne A. Silitch, Director of Public Relations and External Affairs, 413.597.3178.