2008 Woodie Awards
Sheldon name change reflects museum's mission
Marc Miner
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: News
Don't be confused by the stone sign inscribed with "Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery" that sits outside the museum.
Last Friday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln changed the building's name to Sheldon Museum of Art. The museum's support group, the Nebraska Art Association, also changed their name to the Sheldon Art Association.
Richard Hoffmann, the museum's interim director, said the change communicates the museum's mission better.
"There's a sense these days when you use 'gallery' that you sell art," Hoffman said. "We're trying to position the museum for the future."
The cost of the name change is not high, said Tom White, the museum's public relations coordinator.
Printed materials with the museum's old name will be used up even though they have a different name, White said.
"We always have to print," he said, adding the total name-related costs are near $2,000.
The old Nebraska Art Association will still exist but only for will bequests and income tax deductions, said Rhonda Seacrest, the president of the Sheldon Art Association.
The NAA is a private and non-profit legal entity that operates through the trade name Sheldon Art Association.
"It's mostly a clarification," Seacrest said. "These words, 'Sheldon Art Association,' more correctly reflect what our organization is."
The new name avoids any confusion with the Nebraska Alumni Association and Nebraska Arts Council, Seacrest said.
"There's been an identity issue," Seacrest said. "Well, they (people) say, 'Hmm, what's that?' It doesn't make that leap over to Sheldon."
The Sheldon Museum of Art and Sheldon Art Association each have their own art collections and operate in conjunction.
The museum began as a gift from Frances and Bromley Sheldon to the university and was completed in 1963 as the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.
More than 40 years later, the museum now houses more than 12,000 pieces with support from Sheldon Art Association's 500 members.
"There's no sense to break with the history of the place," Hoffmann said. "It will still be the same great American art."
marcminer@dailynebraskan.com
Last Friday, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln changed the building's name to Sheldon Museum of Art. The museum's support group, the Nebraska Art Association, also changed their name to the Sheldon Art Association.
Richard Hoffmann, the museum's interim director, said the change communicates the museum's mission better.
"There's a sense these days when you use 'gallery' that you sell art," Hoffman said. "We're trying to position the museum for the future."
The cost of the name change is not high, said Tom White, the museum's public relations coordinator.
Printed materials with the museum's old name will be used up even though they have a different name, White said.
"We always have to print," he said, adding the total name-related costs are near $2,000.
The old Nebraska Art Association will still exist but only for will bequests and income tax deductions, said Rhonda Seacrest, the president of the Sheldon Art Association.
The NAA is a private and non-profit legal entity that operates through the trade name Sheldon Art Association.
"It's mostly a clarification," Seacrest said. "These words, 'Sheldon Art Association,' more correctly reflect what our organization is."
The new name avoids any confusion with the Nebraska Alumni Association and Nebraska Arts Council, Seacrest said.
"There's been an identity issue," Seacrest said. "Well, they (people) say, 'Hmm, what's that?' It doesn't make that leap over to Sheldon."
The Sheldon Museum of Art and Sheldon Art Association each have their own art collections and operate in conjunction.
The museum began as a gift from Frances and Bromley Sheldon to the university and was completed in 1963 as the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery.
More than 40 years later, the museum now houses more than 12,000 pieces with support from Sheldon Art Association's 500 members.
"There's no sense to break with the history of the place," Hoffmann said. "It will still be the same great American art."
marcminer@dailynebraskan.com
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