For the fourth time the Tampa Museum of Art has a potential new home. Architect Saitowitz has been selected to design the new building. Just remember, before you get too excited, that this is not the first time an architect has been selected for this project. You can find out more about him here http://www.saitowitz.com/.

The new Tampa Museum of Art being planned is estimated to cost over $40 million. The museum claims a $10-million endowment and the city is to add $18.5 million, that means the Museum Board is seeking $11.5 million. (Assuming the project does not go over current estimates, of course).

One creative fundraising method for the Tampa Museum will be arriving by sea early in 2007. Imagine a 228 foot yacht with luxurious entertaining facilities and lots of exclusive art work that serves as a dockside gallery for fundraising and more. The yacht SeaFair is due to visit St. Petersburg from Jan 2 - 8 and then Tampa from Jan. 9-13. You can see the yacht here www.expoships.com.

Don't expect a glimpse of the inside. According to Lee Ann Lester, Principal, "We are a private commercial ship never open to the public, therefore we never advertise to the public. "

Many doubt whether this museum will ever really happen. The plans for fast tracking the construction calls for the museum to be completed by December 31, 2008. TampaGold.com has decided to post a coundown clock just to keep you aware of how the spending of almost $20 million in public funds are proceeding.

And don't forget the planned new construction of the Tampa History Museum, the Tampa Childrens Museum, and the Riverwalk ? If you have deep pockets you can count on receiving a call or invitation to something. These projects will be seeking many more millions in contributions for projects that are targeting completion by late 2008 or early 2009 in most cases.
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