One of the Foremost Modern and Contemporary Art Museums in the World Has Completed the Most Substantial Expansion and Development Project in Its 160-Year History
Buffalo AKG Art Museum Includes More Than 50,000 Square Feet of Exhibit Space, Five Classrooms, New Restaurant and Public Green Space, and Community Gathering Space
Museum is Projected to Have an Economic Impact of $34 Million Annually for Western New York and Employ 134 Full-Time Employees
View Photographs of the Expansion Project Here
Governor Hochul: "[T]oday, the confluence of these buildings that reflect a different period of time. This just says one thing: Buffalo, we've made our mark. We've arrived. This means something, not today, but as you've heard from our speakers for generations to come because it says, 'Buffalo, you're a place that matters. You're a place that people from around the world will be talking about.' As they should be."
Hochul: "What we have in architecture, second to none. Culture and arts and diversity. Nobody can hold a candle to this place...Everybody has heard of this art gallery and the new rebranding, Buffalo AKG is also well known. And my job as Governor is to make sure that it's not just known in the art world or among us proud Buffalonians. But I want this to continue to be a draw for more tourists"
Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the substantial completion of the Buffalo AKG Art Museum, one of the foremost modern and contemporary art museums in the world. The $195 million expansion, restoration, and renovation project includes the dramatic new three-story Jeffrey E. Gunlach building and the restoration of two other historic buildings on the campus formerly known as Albright-Knox Art Gallery. AKG is projected to increase visitation by more than 30 percent and attract at least 160,000 visitors per year. It is estimated that the region could experience a sustained economic benefit of an additional $34 million per year as a result of the increased tourism.
B-ROLL of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.
VIDEO of the event is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.
AUDIO of the event is available here.
PHOTOS of the event are available on the Governor's Flickr page.
A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks is available below:
This is what speechless looks like. I am speechless at the breath of beauty that surrounds this place far beyond my expectations when I was first shown the plans by a very enthusiastic new leader of this institution. Janne used every chance he could to invite me over just for a cup of coffee or a little conversation, "Want to see the latest art piece?" And every single time, "What else do you need now, Janne? How can we get this done?"
And the vision that you and Alice showed me a number of years ago, I was a Lieutenant Governor. I said, "I'll do my best," but to be Governor and be able to answer the call for more help working with our great legislators. It was one of the proudest days of my life to say, "Yes, we can get this done."
So, I thank Janne and Alice, and so many others who came before in their very persuasive way. But I have one thing to tell you. You had me at hello. I've been a member since my family brought me here as a child. I had a family membership when my kids were just toddlers, so you had me already. I just enjoyed the visits.
So, to Janne and Alice, and of course Jeffrey Gundlach, I had a chance to say hello to your mom and your family, and Barbara. Thank you. Thank you, thank you. This is so extraordinary, and yes, you could have spent the money in some far away place called California, but I don't think their Governor could have felt the depth of gratitude that I have here today. So, this is personal. This is my home. So, thank you.
And to our leaders, Brian Higgins, Crystal People-Stokes, Sean Ryan, Mark Poloncarz, Byron Brown. My God, are they eloquent? Every single one of you lift our spirits with your words and their different perspectives on what this day means to you. And I thank you for being my partners, but also for being here today. I don't want to overlook NYSCA - the Council on the Arts for the $700,000, you can't say no to $700,000, right?
To Katherine Nicholls, our Chair, and Mara Manus. I want to thank them for what they've done as well. I know I don't play basketball, Mayor, I don't think I'm ever going to really play basketball, although, I do shoot around a little bit at the mansion. But I'm a little vertically challenged, but that's all right.
And I do like music and with respect to - apologies - I would say to Prince, and later the Bengals. This is just another magic Monday because last Monday we showed the world the new home of America's most beloved football team. This Monday we show the world the home of the most unique and extraordinary art collections this country has ever seen. I can't wait till next Monday.
As we gather here, you think about the 1905 building. I'm sure this lawn was filled with people who were so anxious to come here, coming in their carriages, bringing their families, having picnics, saying, "My gosh, what an incredible ode to the past." It heartens the days of glory from the Greeks and the Romans and the architecture at its finest. In 1962, another Governor, not from Buffalo, but Nelson Rockefeller was able to see and witness this extraordinary building, and he was an art lover like no other. I didn't realize as I moved into the Governor's Residence about a year and a half ago that Picasso's Guernica had graced the halls of the Governor's Residence when he was Governor. That's a lot of clout. I don't have it anymore, but I'd certainly take anything on loan that I can showcase. I'm going to do that. I want to show off the work. So, just another hint here.
But today, the confluence of these buildings that reflect a different period of time. This just says one thing: Buffalo, we've made our mark. We've arrived. This means something, not today, but as you've heard from our speakers for generations to come because it says, "Buffalo, you're a place that matters. You're a place that people from around the world will be talking about." As they should be.
What we have in architecture, second to none. Culture and arts and diversity. Nobody can hold a candle to this place. A little more crudely, we really punch above our weight. But I travel this State. I spend a lot of time in New York City. Everybody has heard of this art gallery and the new rebranding, Buffalo AKG is also well known. And my job as Governor is to make sure that it's not just known in the art world or among us proud Buffalonians.
But I want this to continue to be a draw for more tourists who may be thinking the first stop is New York City. That's great, go to New York City. See a play. Just saw the Tony's, but make your way up here. There's a little nice place called Niagara Falls down the road too. You might want to see one of the world's greatest wonders, but this is truly one of the world world's greatest wonders right here in Buffalo. So, let's not forget that. Let's be proud. Let's remember that no matter what people say and what we've been through, and you've heard it all, it's been a rough year for us.
But what a culmination that demonstrates the human spirit of this community in this magnificent building. So, I opened with a song, I'm going to close with - and I'm not singing it. Buffalo, don't stop believing. Don't stop believing in tomorrow because better days are still ahead. But today is a new milestone that none of us for the rest of our lives will ever forget. Congratulations to everyone who made the magic happen. Thank you.