A Community Effort for a Safe, Inclusive, and Vibrant Cultural Hub on the South Coast.
Building community through art
The REFRESH capital campaign seeks to transform Coos Art Museum into a modern, accessible, and vibrant cultural hub, ensuring it continues to enrich the Oregon Coast community through education, artistic expression, and connection for generations to come.
Why we need change
For 74 years, Coos Art Museum has been a cornerstone of art and culture on the Oregon Coast, enriching lives and fostering creativity in the community. However, the museum’s current building—a repurposed post office—no longer meets the needs of our visitors or the demands of a modern cultural institution. Access to arts education is in sharp decline statewide, with Coos County among the hardest hit. Critical infrastructure upgrades are essential to maintaining the museum’s role as a vibrant hub for creativity and connection. Without these improvements, we risk losing a space that inspires and unites our community.
Our vision
Through REFRESH, we envision more than just a renovated building; we’re creating the cultural space our community deserves. By modernizing and enhancing our facilities, we aim to transform the Museum into a dynamic center for education, artistic expression, and community engagement. These improvements will ensure a more welcoming and accessible environment for all, securing the Museum’s role as a catalyst for creativity and connection for generations to come.
Campaign Expenses
This ambitious campaign aims to fund a transformative project that will enhance our facilities and expand our community impact. So far, we have made significant strides in securing initial contributions and have prudently managed the funds to advance critical elements of the project. As we continue our efforts, we reach out to valued supporters like you to help us bridge the gap and achieve our fundraising goal. The following summary outlines the campaign’s expenses. Your support is vital to our success, and we invite you to join us in this impactful journey.
Campaign Planning and Construction Soft Costs-$149,000
Campaign Soft Costs-$24,000
Construction Hard Costs-$1,290,000
Fundraising-$15,500
Campaign Total Goal- $1,478,500
Projects
Project I: URGENT NEEDS & FACILITY ASSESSMENT
- Address critical infrastructure and operational needs to ensure the Coos Art Museum can continue to engage audiences and preserve cultural heritage effectively by fixing HVAC systems, constructing a loading dock enclosure, installing an updated hanging system, and planning a capital campaign.
Project II: AESTHETICS & VISUAL IMPROVEMENTS
- Enhance the museum’s exterior and interior to make it more inviting.
Project III: Accessibility & Workplace Satisfaction
- Enhance accessibility to ensure all audiences can experience the museum by improving exterior night illumination, replacing handrails, painting the front steps, and installing tile risers.
- Create a more comfortable and modern workplace by updating the interior design of administrative spaces and thoroughfares, including installing new flooring and modernizing elevator interior finishes
Project IV: Sustainability & Viability
- Improve the building’s functionality and aesthetics by repainting the exterior to revitalize its appearance and protect it from wear and tear.
- Modernize communication with visitors by replacing the notice boards.
- Improve energy consumption by introducing new utility lighting in storage areas.
- Enhance the museum experience by installing an aesthetically pleasing water fountain alongside artwork that connects the Museum to its maritime environment.
Project V: Technology Enhancements
- Implement measures to ensure long-term sustainability through energy efficiency and cost reduction.
Want to learn more?
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Thanks to those that have already supported these capital projects!
Anonymous
Josephine Reid
Crystal Shoji
Christine and Jim Williams