Clark Art Institute Receives $15 Million Gift

The Clark Art Institute has received a $15 million donation.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Clark Art Institute has received a $15 million gift from Felda and Dena Hardymon that is one of the largest donations in the Clark's history. 

The Hardymons, residents of Berkshire County and Cambridge, have watched the Clark's evolution over the last two decades. While the gift was made to support the Clark's campus expansion program and ongoing activities, the Institute's Board of Trustees recently voted to name the director's position in recognition of their generosity.

The newly established Felda and Dena Hardymon Director position is held by Michael Conforti.     

"It has been a joy to watch the growth of the Institute over the last 20-plus years," Dena Hardymon said in a statement. "Felda and I are excited by what the staff, the Board of Trustees, and the Clark's many supporters have accomplished. Most compelling to us is the potential the recent campus expansion has created, which we know will support the Clark's expanding programs and reinforce its place as a 21st century institution of global stature."

Following a recent board of trustees meeting, Chairman O. Andreas Halvorsen noted that the gift will have an important impact on the Clark's future.

"We chose to honor them by naming the directorship in recognition of their emphasis on leadership and its importance in securing the Institute's success," Halvorsen said. "We are deeply grateful that they have chosen to make such a lasting contribution to the Clark."

Victoria Saltzman, director of communications, said on Thursday that the use of the gift would be determined by the board.

"There is no restriction so it is up to our trustees," she said. "It could be applied toward the research programs, or education, or applied to the final phase of the expansion, she said, referring to the renovation of the Manton Research Center.

The Hardymons' gift is "very significant and very meaningful," Saltzman said. They had shown in interest in maintaining the museums strength in leadership. "It seemed an appropriate way to recognize the gift was to name the directorship. ...

"We're very thrilled. They're very wonderful generous people and it will have a long lasting impact."

Dena Hardymon, who joined the Clark's board of trustees as an honorary trustee in 2013, said in her statement that the family is glad the gift will recognize the importance of leadership at the Clark. 

"As wonderful as the new and renovated buildings are, in the end the Clark's international standing is based on the strength of its staff, who work with the Institute's extraordinary art and library collections to advance its exhibition and educational outreach programs as well as its important scholarly activities," Hardymon said. "We're proud to know that our gift will be perpetually affiliated with those responsible for ensuring that the Clark remains one of the most important arts institutions in the country."

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