Museum in danger of closing

El Paso’s International Museum of Art is in danger of closing.

Museum officials told ABC-7 they fear they may have to close its doors by the end of the month if they don’t find revenue.

“The museum has been struggling for some time in terms of creating a revenue stream that we can count on,” said Bob Peterson, museum director.

That’s why those behind the museum, located at 1211 Montana Ave. in Central El Paso, have organized an event to help give a jolt to its bank account.

The Save the Museum Art Auction is taking place Saturday, Oct. 18, inside the museum.

About 80 pieces of artwork were donated by local artists to the museum for the auction.

“That’s a key event that will raise some working capital,” said Peterson. “We think if the auction is a success, it will give us the viability short term to make us viable long term.”

Becoming viable in the long run, Peterson said, involves finding a large donor or sponsor.

“We’ve contacted some people with no success,” he added.”But we feel somewhere in this community there’s someone who will say, ‘I have the wherewithal and would love to help this great old museum stay in business.’

“It’s a value to the community. So we’re asking the community to recognize that value by helping us out now. That’s what this auction is all about.”

See a sample of the art up for auction here.

El Paso International Museum of Art website