We are proud to announce the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts was responsible for generating more than $145 million in economic impact for both the Commonwealth and the Richmond Region in the past year. In the years since its expansion, VMFA has continued to broaden its program offerings. This has resulted in attendance increasing by 292% since FY2008, the last full fiscal year before construction began on the McGlothlin wing. These recent achievements have attracted the attention of both local and international media outlets such as the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond Magazine, Style Weekly, Art Daily, Judith Dobrzynski’s Real Clear Arts letter, NPR, Voice of America, and many others.
We now have our sights set on the future and are bringing exhibitions such as Rodin: Evolution of a Genius this November and Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic next June. Our exciting line up coupled with tremendous growth also has attracted recognition from Richmond Region Leaders.
“Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a best-in-class enterprise whose exceptional education, culture, and works of art enhance the quality of life of Virginians everywhere. Additionally, the museum’s assets attract out-of-state visitors whose spending supports jobs and economic growth in the Commonwealth,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones said.
In the past week, both Richmond Magazine and the Richmond Times-Dispatch have published substantial articles about the VMFA’s economic impact. Style Weekly also has named several trustees and employees of the museum to its 2015 Power List, including our Paul Mellon Curator and Head of the Department of European Art, Dr. Mitchell Merling, co-curator of Van Gogh, Manet, and Matisse: The Art of the Flower and this November’s Rodin: Evolution of a Genius. The Power List also including the president of our board, Bill Royall.