Fine Arts

U of L exploring other options for fine arts, business programs

Is exploring other options for its fine arts and graduate business school programs in the wake of today’s announcement that the developers of Museum Plaza have called off their project.

U of L president James Ramsey said there is no “definitive” answer to the question of where those programs will go.

There also is no timetable to finding space for them, he added.

U of L had committed several years ago to lease space in the 62-story, $465 million downtown tower for its fine arts program.

It also had announced plans in 2008 to relocate its graduate business school to the site from its Belknap Campus, but it had begun looking at other scenarios since then as prospects for Museum Plaza’s construction dimmed.

Haymarket site a consideration

Ramsey declined to discuss the options for the programs but said some thought has been given to bringing the business offerings to the former Haymarket property where Nucleus: Kentucky’s Life Science and Innovation Center LLC is developing a health care campus. Nucleus is a U of L affiliate.

Ramsey said U of L’s commitment to downtown remains strong. He also expressed his disappointment that Museum Plaza won’t become a reality.

“We understand the very difficult times in the credit market and the real estate market,” Ramsey said. “Everybody’s been thrown for a loop. (The recession) pushed everybody back.”

Project would require lead donor

Moving its graduate programs downtown has been a goal of U of L College of Business dean Charlie Moyer since his arrival in Louisville in 2003.

He said the biggest hindrance to making that goal a reality is the lack of a sponsor.

“We need to find somebody with $10 million who would like to see their name in lights,” he said. “We’re waiting on the right-sized donor.

Painting – Painting – Painting | Vaughn Fine Art

  Button by the painting on the site.   Just click HERE first, then click on See the Most Popular Paintings on that page.  That is the only way your Facebook “Like” will be counted.  The competition uses the Facebook “Like” button so that the contest can’t be rigged with false votes.  You have to have a Facebook account and be signed in to vote.  Right now I believe I am third, so I will need lots more votes to win!  The winner will receive $1000 cash!  And, anyone who has been hanging around my blog knows that we sure could use the extra cash.

Bob is still out of work, but just today he was at a job fair sponsored by Congresswoman Sue Myrick, and he introduced himself to several prospective employers and handed out his resume.  He is waiting to hear back on several interviews that he has been on in the last 2 weeks.

In the meantime I have been pounding the pavement and applying for representation by numerous galleries, working on commissions, and working on a painting of a group of cows that I am calling “Bessy & Company.