Manhattan Borough president awards $125,000 to The Ukrainian Museum

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - The Manhattan Borough President's Office awarded The Ukrainian Museum in New York City $125,000 in capital funds to support its new building project on East Sixth Street in Lower Manhattan. The more than $8 million project is currently in the construction phase, with completion scheduled for the summer of 2003.

The projected three-story building will become the new center for the activities of the museum, which for 26 years has preserved and presented the cultural legacy of Ukrainian Americans through exhibitions, educational programs, publications and community related events.

In a letter announcing the award, C. Virginia Fields, Manhattan Borough president, wrote "Thank you for the vital role the museum continues to provide to our community. There were many requests for capital funding this year and this award represents a commitment my office has made to The Ukrainian Museum and to the Borough of Manhattan: to build and improve the infrastructure so that we may enjoy One Manhattan for All."

Olha Hnateyko, president of The Ukrainian Museum's board of trustees said that the museum family is very grateful for this award, which not only helps the new building project financially, but is a strong endorsement of the museum's purpose and goals.

"Our new building project is being realized during a very propitious time to become an important partner to the recovery efforts in New York City following the September 11 terrorist attacks. Because the new museum facility represents an investment of private and public funds in the future of the great city of New York, we will have the opportunity to create favorable returns on these investments both for the Ukrainian community and the city."

Maria Shust, director of The Ukrainian Museum, explained that in its new facility the museum will have the potential to develop into a showcase of the Ukrainian arts and cultural achievements - a source of pride for Ukrainians everywhere. She went on to say: "The expanded, multi-faceted programming in the new museum building will generate increased visitations, thus adding to the benefits of tourism not only locally, but also to the overall economy of the city."

As a token of appreciation for the award, Ms. Shust presented the borough president with a beautiful pysanka decorated with a Hutsul design. Ms. Fields graciously accepted the gift and promised to come to the museum in its present location and also visit its projected new home to "see how else we can help this institution."

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 14, 2002, No. 28, Vol. LXX

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