Fishers plan new museum in San Francisco

Donald (age 78) and Doris (age 75) Fisher, the founders of the Gap, have plans for a museum to showcase their own collection of modern art. They hope to build in the Presidio--a former military base in San Francisco now turned into a national park. Mr. Fisher was formerly on the board of trustees of the Presidio. Plans are to call the museum the Contemporary Art Museum; they hope to break ground in 2008 and be open by 2010. But we all know what happens to such ambitious plans. I was not able to find information on a proposed architect for this new museum.

Their collection (over 1,000 works) includes pieces by Chuck close, Richard Serra, and Alexander Calder. Now the collection is displayed at the Gap's national headquarters in downtown San Francisco. Their collection is said by Benezra (direction of SFMOMA) as one of the most important in the world.

Although some items from their collection are often displayed at SFMOMA and he is on the board of trustees, he wants more control and to make sure his work is really seen. As you know, all too often, museums acquire works of art and then are in a juggling position--trying to decide what to display.

I wonder how many collections are considered "one of the most important in the world." I haven't seen any of these pieces, but certainly the artists are first-rate.

I think back to over 100 years ago when William Wilson Corcoran decided to build a museum to house his collection. It wasn't too long before his new museum (now the Renwick in Washington, DC) became too small for growing collection and he had to build a second museum (the current Corcoran Gallery of Art on 17th and New York Avenue). You can find out more about the Corcoran's history here.

Did you know that the Riggs Bank was formed in 1836 when Mr. Corcoran opened a small brokerage house. By 1840, he had joined up with George Washington Riggs, a neighbor's son, to form Corcoran & Riggs. By 1844, the government made this enterprise the only federal depository in Washington. Corcoran got out of the banking business some ten years later in 1854. Riggs Bank became the bank of embassies and diplomats. In July of 2004 it was bought by PNC for 779 million dollars. For the history buff, you can actually review these partnership documents in the library at the George Washington University.