Ukrainian government extends offer of support to The Ukrainian Museum in New York City (03/03/02)

Ukrainian government extends offer of support to The Ukrainian Museum in New York City

by Marta Baczynsky

NEW YORK - The welfare and the development of The Ukrainian Museum in New York City has drawn the enthusiastic interest and a promise of support from the government of Ukraine, especially with reference to the museum's work in its new building.

Ambassador Valeriy Kuchinsky, permanent representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, offered his assistance and that of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, as did the consul general of Ukraine in New York City, Serhiy Pohoreltzev, to help with The Ukrainian Museum's future projects that promote involvement with museums and the arts community in Ukraine.

These suggestions of cooperation were brought to the table during a special visit to the museum last week by the ambassador and the consul general, who were accompanied by the ambassador's wife, Alla Kuchinsky, and the second secretary of the Permanent Mission, Danylo Lubkivsky. The request for this unprecedented meeting with The Ukrainian Museum's board of trustees and members of the administration came from the offices of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations.

At the meeting the museum was represented by Olha Hnateyko, president of the board of trustees; Maria Shust, director of the museum; and members of the executive board and the board. Also present were George Sawicki, architect of the museum's new building, and representatives of the Ukrainian press.

Speaking to an attentive audience, Ambassador Kuchinsky said it is important for the Ukrainian diplomats posted in New York City to develop a working relationship with the museum. For example, he said they can be instrumental in facilitating the loan process for exhibitions from museums in Ukraine and assist, through The Ukrainian Museum, with helping young artists from Ukraine to explore and take advantage of career-building opportunities in the United States.

The ambassador emphasized that the Ukrainian diplomats will treat cooperative projects with the museum as matters of great importance. "Our meeting today reflects not only our concern. It is a testimony of our readiness to help the museum staff in any way possible," he said. "For each Ukrainian heart there can be no choice whether to support or not to support the museum, for it is through this sanctuary of Ukrainian presence in the United States that our nation speaks to the world."

The ambassador also made references to a speech by Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Anatolii Zlenko on his visit in the United States in November 2001. In that speech the minister first voiced the new policy of the Ukrainian government's outreach with cooperative efforts and support by its diplomatic corps to Ukrainian organizations and institutions in American cities where its national interests are represented.

Consul General Pohoreltzev also addressed the museum group, concurring with the ambassador's assurance that this project of cooperation is of vital concern to the Ukrainian government. He pledged the support of the Ukrainian Consulate General as well.

Board President Hnateyko spoke about the museum, concentrating specifically on the building project and the history of its funding. She attributed the success of the project to the overwhelming generosity of the Ukrainian community, including the $500,000 gift from Self Reliance (New York) Federal Credit Union. She also stressed the importance of the donations from Eugene and Daymel Shklar - $2.5 million to the Building Fund and a $1 million Challenge Grant - for not only giving the project a new jump-start, but enabling the museum to begin construction.

Director Shust provided information concerning the exhibitions currently in the planning stages are destined for the inaugural of the new building. The agenda for the momentous event will feature an exhibit of the monumental works of Alexander Archipenko, an exhibit dealing with symbolism in Ukrainian folk art, and one presenting the input of Ukrainian immigrants into the cultural life of America.

During the meeting, several aspects of the museum's work were touched upon by the participants and particularly by Second Secretary Lubkivsky. He brought attention to the importance of being aware of how Ukraine and Ukrainian subject matter are presented in American museums and cultural publications in the United States and of responding appropriately. It was agreed that addressing these issues in unison - using the museum as well as the resources of the offices of the Ukrainian Mission and Consulate - would be most effective in this endeavor.

The importance of traveling exhibitions also was stressed. Ms. Shust explained that the museum has maintained an active traveling exhibition program since its founding. The most traveled exhibit, "The Lost Architecture of Kyiv," has been viewed in over 20 cities in the United States and Canada. The exhibit on the Ukrainian immigration in the United States has been on tour in Ukraine for the past three years.

Ambassador Kuchinsky presented a gift to the museum - the album "Ukrainian Avant-Garde Art, 1910-1930s" published in Kyiv in 1996. In the inscription he expressed the wish that most of the works included in the book would find their place in museums in Ukraine and, in particular, in The Ukrainian Museum in New York City.

Following the discussion and a short break for refreshments, everyone headed for the site of the new museum building on East Sixth Street. There, guided by the job foreman from the DiGiacomo & Son, construction firm the diplomats, board members and press were invited to view the interior of the building. The construction currently involves underpinning the foundations of the adjoining buildings.

The participants voiced their agreement that the proposed cooperation between the representatives of the Ukrainian government in New York City and The Ukrainian Museum will result in greater success for the institution in its new facility.

"We thank our distinguished guests for their unequivocal interest in the work of The Ukrainian Museum," said Mrs. Hnateyko, "and we especially value the offer of the Ukrainian government to provide definitive support of the projected exhibitions and programs in the new museum facility."

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