Since its launch on September 23, more than 75 people have participated in the campaign to Help VMFA Build the Forbidden City. From here in Richmond’s Museum District to Ashland, Norfolk, Danville and even as far away as Barcelona, Spain, the idea of creating a 21st-century Forbidden City using 3D printers has sparked curiosity, donations and great publicity for the museum. In its first week, the campaign raised $9,515.
On Monday, the campaign got a huge boost thanks to Frank Qiu and Ting Xu of Richmond-based Evergreen Enterprises. To inspire more Virginians to Help VMFA Build the Forbidden City, the couple has pledged to double every gift to the campaign dollar-for-dollar—up to a total of $25,000. To ensure that VMFA meets—or exceeds—its goal of raising $40,000 before the opening of Forbidden City: Imperial Treasures from the Palace Museum, Beijing on October 18, the Evergreen match will be applied to both past and future gifts. If you’ve already made a contribution, it just doubled.
“We’re delighted to be part of the excitement surrounding Forbidden City and to support VMFA’s Exhibition Fund,” Xu explained. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for museum visitors to discover the culture of imperial China through truly breathtaking works of art. That Richmond will be the exhibition’s only U.S. venue made this a perfect fit for us. We hope our gift will encourage more people to participate in the campaign, knowing that the impact of their contribution will be doubled.”
With Evergreen’s matching gift, the museum is nearly halfway to reaching its goal with 17 days remaining in the campaign.
