MASS MoCA was one of the first institutions to receive funding from the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF). The $429,000 grant award helped MASS MoCA renovate a 27,000 square foot mill building to house 105 wall drawings by Sol LeWitt. Besides the opening of this landmark exhibition, the renovation project better connected MASS MoCA's campus and improved visitor circulation.
Sol LeWitt: A Wall Drawing Retrospective, which is on view until 2033, comprises of 105 of LeWitt’s large-scale wall drawings, spanning the artist’s career from 1969 to 2007. These occupy nearly an acre of specially built interior walls that have been installed—per LeWitt’s own specifications—over three stories of a historic mill building situated at the heart of MASS MoCA’s campus. The ever-popular retrospective was named the number one museum exhibit of 2008 by Time Magazine and "one of the best single-artist exhibits ever" by New York. More importantly, it continues to attract thousands of new visitors each year -- MASS MoCA has experienced a sustained increase in visitation of over 30%. Of course, this has translated into an increased economic impact for the Northern Berkshire economy.
The Cultural Facilities Fund is an important tool for cultural organizations throughout the Commonwealth as they plan for and implement mission-driven projects that also help their communities. MASS MoCA is grateful for its CFF award; it's had a tremendous impact on the institutions and our patrons. So much has been accomplished with the funds that have been allocated to date. Just imagine the impact future allocations could have on our cultural facilities and cultural economy.
