DePaul University says budget issues, including recent funding cuts, are behind its decision to close the school’s art museum on Fullerton Avenue. Thousands of people have signed an open letter hoping to save it.
The university first opened its art museum in 2011. The museum has since featured artwork from more than 600 artists, but in three months, it will close its doors for good.
“I think the main word for me was disappointment,” said Bernardo da Costa Soares, senior international student at DePaul. “I mean this place has become such an important resource not just for the university community, but also to the Chicago community at large.”
Soares is studying art history at DePaul. He’s also the curatorial intern at the museum.
“It makes me really sad to think that not only has this place been such a big part of my DePaul University, but to think that the incoming freshman coming in later they would not be able to know that it existed,” he said.
The university facing a budget shortfall announced plans at the end of February to close the museum over the summer leaving many faculty surprised by the decision.
“I understand as well there are difficult decisions that need to be made, but I think there’s a question of prioritization,” said DePaul University Professor Sean Kirkland. “Given DePaul’s commitment to the arts, to the humanities, as a central part of its mission—I think it’s a mistake.”
Kirkland is part of a group behind an open letter opposing the closure and warning about the impact on students.
More than 3,100 people have signed the letter, including faculty members and students since it was published over the weekend.
“We’re hoping that the outpouring of public support will make that evident and maybe we’ll get different results if we open up deliberations again,” he said.
Meanwhile, the university said its looking to reimagine the arts moving forward and will hold discussions in the coming weeks. The university also said it has no plans to sell the building or leave it vacant.
“I think my only hope is that DePaul will kinda at least reconsider this issue, given the gravity and the response not just in Chicago, but from around the country,” said Soares.
The museum will hosts its last opening reception for two exhibits Thursday night. The museum is slated to close June 30.
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