Sacrifice for Scholarships?

I was ambient listening to NPR this morning as I was in the gallery work on some emails... I heard a story on Here and Now that peaked my interest. Apparently, the University of Iowa may be forced by their state legislators to sell a $140 million Jackson Pollock painting that was gifted to the school in the 50's in order to fun future art scholarships. Although I support scholarships for students, and think that financial assistantship is an important aide, it doesn't seem that the sale would reflect kindly upon the University's opinion of the arts. The legislators should consider the paintings value to be more than just a portable asset.

Iowa Lawmakers Move To Sell Pollock Painting To Fund Scholarships

(University of Iowa Museum of Art, Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6)

(University of Iowa Museum of Art, Gift of Peggy Guggenheim, 1959.6)

Iowa legislators are considering a bill that would force the University of Iowa to sell its Jackson Pollock “Mural” painting, valued at $140 million, which was donated to the state-owned University in 1959. The proceeds from the sale would go into a trust fund to give scholarships to art students. But museum associations have criticized the move, arguing that treating works of art as a source of cash is a violation of museum ethics.

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