The Sept. 23 Style article titled “National Gallery goes back on its word” exposes the decade-old tragedy that unfolded at the Corcoran Gallery of Art due to the National Gallery of Art, George Washington University, and the negligent board of trustees at Corcoran. While the details of this incident are widely known, a closer look at the history of these entities reveals that the downfall of the Corcoran was hardly surprising given their track record.
Interestingly, the National Gallery of Art derived its name from the preexisting Smithsonian Institution museum with the same name, following a demand made by its founding donor, Andrew Mellon. The collection that was once housed at the National Gallery of Art now resides in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, making it evident that the National Gallery of Art has always had a knack for appropriating resources that would otherwise support local institutions.
As for George Washington University, it took over the Corcoran space but failed to contribute anything meaningful to the community. Instead, it transformed the once delightful residential Foggy Bottom neighborhood into a soulless campus dominated by student dormitories. Gradually, it dismantled a vibrant two-to-three-story residential community, replacing it with towering mega-buildings primarily driven by profit, only occasionally offering classrooms to justify its actions.
The trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art relished the prestige associated with the institution but showed no commitment when it came to providing the necessary funds or influence to save it. Consequently, the arts community suffered a significant blow. This incident serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the urgent need for individuals in positions of power to recognize their responsibility and act accordingly. Waiting for someone else to step up won’t solve the problem.
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