Reynolda museum to be closed in January

Closing for slow month will save operating costs

By: By Ken Keuffel | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 14, 2009

The Reynolda House Museum of American Art will close during January and reopen Feb. 2, a week before the opening of an exhibition called "William Christenberry: Photographs, 1961-2005."

Museum officials announced the closing yesterday, citing the need to ensure a balanced budget in the face of revenue shortfalls.

"In a month when we traditionally see few visitors, closing to the public in January will reduce our operating expenses, conserving and redirecting funds and staff time toward preparing for an exciting spring season for the Triad," said Allison Perkins, Reynolda House's executive director. "This decision was made only after much research and consideration of a variety of cost-savings options that would have the least impact on our community."

Sarah R. Smith, the director of communications and marketing at Reynolda House, wrote in an e-mail that by closing in January, the museum will "conserve funds normally required to operate portions of the historic house and the Babcock Wing during visitation hours." Cost-savings will also be realized from not paying part-time staff members "whose job responsibilities relate directly to visitors."

The cost of operating Reynolda House varies from month to month. The museum's operating budget for the past fiscal year was $3,938,255.

This isn't the first time that Reynolda House has closed. Since its opening in 1967, the museum has shut its doors twice, in 1991 and in 2005, for improvements or renovations.

The nearby Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art closed in January for renovations and will remain closed through January 2010, according to its Web site.

kkeuffel@wsjournal.com

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