ROANOKE, VA.- Edward G. Murphy, M.D., president of the Board of Trustees of the Art Museum of Western Virginia, announced today that the institution will change its name to the Taubman Museum of Art when it opens to the public in November. The institution will adopt a new logo and graphic identity as well, which will be unveiled at a later date.

The Board of Trustees was delighted to name the new building for U.S. Ambassador to Romania Nicholas F. Taubman and Mrs. Eugenia L. Taubman in recognition of their lead gift of $15.25 million to support the new Art Museum. The donation is the single largest gift to the $66 million capital campaign to build the new facility, of which $52 million has been raised to date.

“The name change reflects the extraordinary gift that Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman have made to the Art Museum,” said Dr. Murphy. “The Taubman name is synonymous with community leadership in the Roanoke Valley. With their exemplary contribution to the new Art Museum, the Taubmans will be long remembered for their dedication to western Virginia,” added Dr. Murphy.

“Our intention is that our gift will help to develop the Art Museum into a world-class institution and advance its goals to serve its growing public,” said Ambassador Taubman. “We are deeply committed to our hometown and very proud to be able to play a role in this transformational project.”

“We believe passionately in the new Art Museum and what it will do for Roanoke and our part of the Commonwealth,” said Eugenia Taubman, chair of the Art Museum’s capital campaign committee. “Roanoke has given us so much, for which we are exceptionally grateful. Through our gift, we hope to ensure the exciting, vibrant and bold new future for the region that the new museum will bring.”

“The commitment of our lead patrons has enabled us to make our vision for a unique art museum and education center in western Virginia a reality,” said Georganne Bingham, executive director of the Art Museum. “Generations to come will associate the Taubmans with the highest quality art and education programs.”

Mayor Nelson Harris thanked Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman for their outstanding generosity. “The City of Roanoke is sincerely grateful for the wonderful gift that Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman have made to the new Art Museum project,” said Nelson Harris, mayor of the City of Roanoke. “The Taubman Museum of Art will be a remarkable asset for our community as a tourist destination, an economic development engine, a cultural and social center, and a top-notch educational resource.”

“The incredible gift made by Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman has helped to make the dream of a world-class art museum here in Roanoke a reality. This new museum, designed by one of America’s top architects, will be an important economic boost to Roanoke and southwest Virginia by providing a quality of life selling point in the effort to bring new jobs to the area and by providing an important stimulus for downtown Roanoke,” said Congressman Robert W. Goodlatte (R-VA). “I know I speak for many Roanokers when I express my profound appreciation to Ambassador and Mrs. Taubman for their dedication to our region and service to our country.”