In recognition of the lasting legacy Donald J. Hall created with his leadership and generosity, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announced that the 22-acre oasis of parkland on the museum campus has been renamed The Donald J. Hall Sculpture Park. The land that surrounds the museum, considered one of the nation’s finest settings for a major art museum, is home to 35 sculptures.
The new name will be recognized with four bronze plaques in the park. The renaming sets the stage for a major celebration of the park’s 25th birthday in 2014.
Hall and his late wife, Adele, have been strong and generous supporters of the Nelson-Atkins for many years. Hall served as a member of the Nelson-Atkins Board of Trustees for 31 years, and under his influence the museum modernized its governance and broadened the Board from three members to 21. In the 1990s, when the museum moved toward expansion, Hall led an international pursuit of the best architect for the project, resulting in a design by architect Steven Holl. The Bloch Building opened in 2007 to worldwide acclaim.
Through the years, Hall worked quietly behind the scenes to support the acquisition of major works of art, including Modern and Contemporary, African and the landmark Hallmark Photographic Collection.
In 1983, Hall contemplated how the Hall Family Foundation could best support the museum and consulted Seymour Slive, director of the Fogg Museum at Harvard. Slive made two strategic suggestions that played to the museum’s strengths. He recommended the Foundation support the strong Chinese art collection and build a monumental sculpture collection, capitalizing on the abundant land surrounding the museum.
For museum information, phone 816.751.1ART (1278) or visit nelson-atkins.org.