11/19/09

Story by Bruce Hartman and Julie Haas

JCCC’s Nerman Museum receives endowment gift from Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Charitable Trust

Mary D. Cohen

Overland Park, Kan. – At their meeting Nov. 19, the Johnson County Community College board of trustees announced a gift of $1,000,000 to establish the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Art Acquisition Endowment for the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art. The gift represents the first donor-designated endowment for the college’s museum.

“Mary Cohen, along with her late husband, Bart Cohen, has long championed the college and museum. Their philanthropic efforts on behalf of cultural, educational and related endeavors in our region are well known,” said Terry A. Calaway, JCCC president.

Prior to the opening of the Nerman Museum, the Cohens donated funds to establish the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Gallery in the museum. A project space for area artists, the Cohen Gallery quickly became one of the most popular galleries of the museum. Its focus reflects the Cohens’ long passion and support for the work of artists from the region.

 “Mary Cohen’s gift ensures that the museum can acquire art in perpetuity. We are deeply honored by her commitment to the museum,” said Bruce Hartman, executive director of the Nerman Museum.

Funds generated from the Barton P. and Mary D. Cohen Art Acquisition Endowment will be used annually to purchase art for the museum/college. The ensuing collection, to be named the Bart and Mary Cohen Collection, will focus upon contemporary art, and it will be integrated within the museum and campus collections. Four major galleries (of the museum’s 10 gallery spaces) are devoted to changing exhibitions of the museum/college permanent collection.

 “The Nerman Museum houses an extraordinary collection of contemporary art, and it’s a major resource for our entire region,” said Mary Cohen. “It’s a pleasure to ensure that this collection will be enhanced through the support of the Cohen Charitable Trust.”

In 2006, JCCC was named one of America’s top 10 universities/colleges for art on campus. The Nerman Museum collection currently numbers more than 850 works by internationally, nationally and regionally renowned artists. It includes the Oppenheimer Collection and the JCCC Collection. The museum has received national and international acclaim for its architecture and collection since opening in fall 2007. With more than 140,000 visitors to date, the museum has established itself as one of the region’s cultural destinations.

 “Fundamental to a great art museum is a great collection,” Hartman said, “and Mary Cohen’s generosity will build a lasting legacy for our entire community.”

For more information on the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art or JCCC, visit www.nermanmuseum.org or www.jccc.edu.