With Support From the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Cleveland Museum of Art Announces Establishment of Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation
The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) has collected exceptional Chinese paintings since its earliest days and has one of the most distinguished collections in the West. As responsible stewards of these important holdings, the museum has sought to increase the level of Chinese painting conservation expertise within the institution, and in turn throughout the United States. Today, the museum announces a transformative $1.5 million gift from June and Simon K.C. Li to establish a Center for Chinese Paintings Conservation. The Li gift matches a $1.5 million endowment challenge grant awarded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
“Chinese paintings are a special strength of our collection,” said William Griswold, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. “While these superb works occupy a critical place in Chinese art history, they also represent a major conservation challenge given the fragile nature of the materials used to create them. The shortage of qualified Chinese paintings conservators is a widespread dilemma faced by museums across the country. The generous gift by June and Simon K.C. Li and challenge grant from the Mellon Foundation will enable solutions that will effect great change in the industry and ensure the care of Chinese paintings for generations to come.”
“We are honored to participate in the creation of a Center for Chinese Painting Conservation at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Center will not only preserve rare Chinese masterpieces in the Cleveland collection, it will also be an important resource for other American museums,” said June Li. “In addition, it will be a training center for future generations of Chinese painting conservators, ensuring that one of China’s greatest artistic traditions will endure.”
“The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has been steadily working with the field to build and sustain a networked infrastructure to strengthen Chinese paintings conservation expertise across the United States. With this set of grants, the Cleveland Museum of Art establishes its role as a critical node in this professional network. We value and support the museum’s leadership in this important arena,” says Mariët Westermann, Mellon Foundation executive vice president for programs and research.