Noyes Museum of Art in South Jersey closing its doors … for now

The Noyes Museum of Art in Galloway Township, just minutes from Atlantic City, closed its doors Sunday, after the facility became too expensive to operate.

Museum staff, the Mr. and Mrs. Fred Winslow Noyes Foundation, and Stockton University (which provides funding to the museum through a 10-year partnership) have formed a task force to look for a new, permanent home for the 3,500-piece collection, which includes vintage bird decoys, folk art, paintings, and prints.

“The building is closing. And, yes, that is sad,” said Michael Cagno, executive director of the Noyes Museum of Art. “But the organization as a whole will continue providing the mission as set up by its founders.”

Cagno said the costs of fixing a broken heating and air-conditioning system, repairing the roof, and making the museum more handicap accessible were too expensive, especially as museum revenues declined amid casino closings and skyrocketing foreclosure and unemployment rates in Atlantic County.

“We still have about the same number of members, but they’re giving less. We have the same number of sponsors, but they’re giving less,” said Cagno. “And that’s understandable.”

The museum, which was founded in 1983, will continue exhibiting at its two satellite facilities, the Noyes Arts Garage in Atlantic City and the Noyes Museum Shop in Hammonton. Museum officials will also consider displaying some of the art at the facilities of partner organizations, such as the Tuckerton Seaport.

Cagno said he hopes to move the collection to a transitional facility for two or three years before permanently settling in a new building.

 

Disclosure: The Noyes Museum of Art receives funding from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, which also funds WHYY.