Corcoran Gallery of Art to partner with National Gallery and George Washington University

The financially struggling Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., established 145 years ago, is poised to surrender its independence through a partnership arrangement. According to The New York Times, plans scheduled for approval in April 2014 involve collaboration with the federally funded National Gallery of Art and George Washington University. Under this proposed structure, the Corcoran's art collection would stay within public institutions, and its Beaux-Arts building would remain under its ownership. The National Gallery would curate and host modern and contemporary art exhibitions at the Corcoran under the designation Corcoran Contemporary, National Gallery of Art. Meanwhile, the Corcoran College of Art and Design, founded 124 years ago as the gallery's educational division, would be integrated into George Washington University. The university would also assume financial responsibility for the Corcoran building, which requires significant renovation work. This institutional realignment aims to address the Corcoran's long-standing financial difficulties while preserving its legacy and collections for public access.