Cleveland Museum of Art expansion project gets $10 million gift from the Gund Foundation and family

CLEVELAND - Efforts to secure a remaining $100 million to pay for the Cleveland Museum of Art's renovation and expansion project took a major leap forward on Friday.

The museum announced a $10 million gift from the George Gund Foundation and the Gund family.

The 1971 Marcel Breuer-designed addition will be named the Gund Family Pavilion. It is the portion of the museum distinctive for its exterior facade of alternating light and dark grey granite stripes. The inside of the pavilion holds education facilities, lecture halls, Gartner auditorium and Gallery One.

Gallery One is an amazing, unique interactive art experience with special features for adults and young children. It is slated to open in January.

Museum director David Franklin expressed his gratitude for the generosity of the Gund family and foundation. With this latest gift, the Gunds have given $20 million to Transformation: The Campaign for the Cleveland Museum of Art.

"We are grateful that the George Gund Foundation has committed this additional gift at such a crucial point in our campaign," said Franklin. "The Gund family embodies the values and dedication of the museum's original founders, and has a passion for the arts, education and community service."

The museum's expansion, which began in 2005, is the largest capital fundraising project by an arts and culture institution in the state of Ohio.