The Rubin Museum of Art in New York is launching a crowdfunding campaign on 1 September to expand its Tibetan Buddhist shrine room. “We’ve heard from so many people how much they love the Shrine Room, and crowdfunding technology makes it easier to engage and support this immersive exhibition,” said Patrick Sears, the museum’s executive director, in a statement.
The museum aims to raise $45,000 for “construction and installation, including the purchase of a new lighting system, cabinets and beams, as well as to cover expenses for conservation and transport of the ancient artworks,” according to a press release. All campaign donors “will be listed on a digital scroll” in the gallery and on the museum’s website, and will be invited to an opening reception for the new shrine room. Additional funds for the project come from the museum’s exhibition fund and private donations.
The project is due to be completed in time for the exhibition Sacred Spaces (23 October-27 March 2016), in which the shrine room plays a key role.