Barron gets grilled by PA Rep about new art museum

[RGWhirly]

Project definitely unnecessary right now given the amount of money University has lost since Mar 2020.

 

[BBrown]

So they've raised $65mm in the last three months? That's a shitload of dimes.

If you build it, they will pay.

Well, someone had to link it...

 

[Art]

Back in May, a PPG article on Barron's Folly stated:

"Penn State has raised almost $20 million and anticipates debt no greater than $62 million, which it says would not involve tuition revenue or general funds but would instead be subsidized by sources, including Big Ten Conference media revenues."

Let's acknowledge that (1) money is money and money used for the museum could have been used elsewhere, (2) the folks who have committed the $20 could have had their donations steered elsewhere such as scholarships, and (3) PSU counts commitments in fund raising totals in addition to cash in hand; these commitments include for example bequests that are payable upon death (which could be decades away)

Do they really have $20 million in hand for this project? Color me skeptical

Left pocket, right pocket same pants. So the University strips the Athletic Department, which is already borrowing from it to fund Lasch renovations, of revenue. Continues to a point where the Athletic Department can't repay the University and guess who is on the hook. Got an answer for that, Brandon Short (who voted for the last tuition increase)?

 

[Ian]

Time to bust out the ‘dozer.

Athletic Department has the old visitors center for offices. They need the extra space. Not sure who is going in there.

 

[Ian]

I hope the "PA needs to give PSU more money" crowd is paying attention. In a situation of many needs -- elder care, pre-K, etc -- state government would be foolish to give PSU more money when the university can blow $85 million on something so frivolous

PSU is rolling in money thanks to the federal government. Their hand has been out since CoVid started. Didn’t do much to help the area... it’s all about them.

 

[Ian]

No doubt about that. The museum will be a prime destination for people from towns as far away as Snow Shoe and Millheim.

Barron said it would draw 400,000 more visitors annually.

 

[Art]

Barron said it would draw 400,000 more visitors annually.

Molly is going to be there every day so that's 365 to start.

 

[interrobang]

Barron said it would draw 400,000 more visitors annually.

Where are these other 900 people per day that will visit the new museum beyond the 100 that visit Palmer daily?

 

[bison13]

Where are these other 900 people per day that will visit the new museum beyond the 100 that visit Palmer daily?

100 non students visit palmer daily? I had class at the forum 3 times as a freshman and once as a soph. Twice went in there if I was early to class and didn't stop in the old creamery, never more than 3 total people in the entire place.

 

[Ski]

This could be the end of PSU football. Libraries and museums killed Pitt football attendance. PSU is making the same mistake. 😂

 

[interrobang]

100 non students visit palmer daily? I had class at the forum 3 times as a freshman and once as a soph. Twice went in there if I was early to class and didn't stop in the old creamery, never more than 3 total people in the entire place.

They may well have all been students. I just remember finding an article back when this Barrondoggle was first mentioned that noted about 100 people per day visited Palmer

 

[BobPSU92]

Page Not Found | Penn State.

Penn State Page Not Found

news.psu.edu

“The Palmer Museum has long been one of the region’s cultural treasures, and one of its most distinguishing characteristics is the collection of American art,” said Barron. “I have no doubt that the new Palmer Museum at The Arboretum at Penn State will strengthen and sustain the aesthetic experience at Penn State, and it will become a destination for art lovers, scholars, families and community members.”

“According to B. Stephen Carpenter II, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, the new museum will position the expanding space and facilities at The Arboretum to become not only a cultural destination, but also a cultural epicenter.”

 

[RGWhirly]

Epicenter. Lol