WORCESTER philanthropist Professor Rolf Olsen is making a ‘significant’ six-figure donation to boost the collection of art works at the city’s Art Gallery and Museum.
The donation will be used to purchase new works of art and lay the foundations for a new gallery within the Foregate Street building for the City’s art collection; to be named the Shirley and Rolf Olsen Gallery.
His gesture will be a unique tribute to his late wife, following the tradition of earlier local philanthropists like Charles Wheeley-Lea, whose donation helped to fund the building of the art gallery in the 19th century.
Professor Olsen hopes his donation will not only help to create a superlative art collection but will also enhance the cultural life of Worcester and help to bring more tourists to the city. He wants the donation will encourage others to come forward and support the Art Gallery and Museum collections and developments.
“As a long-standing resident of Worcester I’m keen to play a part in its cultural development,” Professor Olsen said. “My wish is to see the city’s art collection become regionally significant, and hopefully in turn encourage development of the Art Gallery and Museum to enable the collection to be on display all year round.
“I encourage others to come forward to support this exciting project and help to put Worcester on the map.”
Professor Olsen has also spearheaded the formation of a new charitable trust to support fund-raising for the museum.
Trustees include the former head of Museums Worcestershire Iain Rutherford, Coun Mike Johnson, former chair of the Joint Museums Committee, and customer services expert Caroline Naisbitt.
Philippa Tinsley, head of Museums Worcestershire, the joint museum service for Worcester City and Worcestershire County Councils, said: “The City Art Gallery and Museum excels at bringing nationally-renowned art and artists to Worcester to be enjoyed by the city’s residents.
“With this donation the permanent art collection will also play its part in enhancing Worcester’s cultural offer. I am looking forward to working with the trustees of the new charity to achieve our aims to make an even bigger impact in Worcester and beyond.”
Call 01905 25371 or email [email protected] for more.
