The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts says it can’t accept a $1 million donation from an anonymous group that wants the museum to halt its planned sale of artwork.
The museum says the offer falls short of what it needs and it won’t agree to pause the sale of 40 objects from the museum’s collection, including works by Norman Rockwell. The auction is expected to fetch $50 million.
Funds will be used to overhaul the museum and create an endowment.
Opponents are calling on the museum to pause its plan, questioning its finances and leadership. They want the art to stay in the county.
Board of Trustees President Elizabeth McGraw says the museum’s number one priority is keeping its doors open. McGraw previously told WAMC no “realistic, viable financial offers” have been made.
