Museum News

Wachovia Corporation Announces Five Year Commitment to Morris Museum Educational Services

The Morris Museum of Art is pleased to announce a five-year, $50,000 commitment by Wachovia Corporation in support of the museum's Art and Education Services Initiatives for Columbia, Richmond, Aiken, and Edgefield County Schools.

Wachovia Corporation's commitment to the Morris helps to ensure the continuation of a variety of programs, including Draw on Nature–a four week program for disadvantaged children–and a range of other educational programs and services for students and teachers. "Make no mistake," says museum director Kevin Grogan, "these programs aren't just supplements to classroom activities. They replace instructional activities that were eliminated from the school's core curriculum for monetary reasons and are not otherwise available to the children at all."

Even with the subvention of local school systems, the museum has subsidized these programs for years at a "per desk cost" that is notably lower than the school systems could achieve. Without Wachovia's support these educational services were in peril as school board support for arts education continued to dwindle. Last year the Richmond County Board of Education, for example, reduced their subvention by 73%, a situation that might not change in the foreseeable future.

Jeff Spears says, "Our mission at Wachovia is to build strong and vibrant communities, and improve the quality of life where we work and live. The Morris Museum of Art is vital in accomplishing these goals and many others. Wachovia is proud to support the Morris's commitment to the community."