Funding for NY Animation Art & Memorabilia Museum

Greetings!

This is the space where I am given the opportunity to share my story and dream with the hope that others will be persuaded to support my vision for a New York-based animation art and memorabilia museum. I know that it will be challenging to make my story brief because I realize that context is important, so I will simply apologize in advance for the length and hope that you will continue to read and support my vision.

The mission of the museum is to support art Education, Preservation, Philanthropy, Inspiration and Creativity (EPPIC). In so doing, the museum is able to use its holding to educate visitors about the process of animation art creation, such as production, design, storytelling and voice artistry. More importantly, the museum will become a place where the legacies of the people who created these works will continue to be recognized and not relegated to a footnote on a Wikipedia page.

Over the years, I have grown a collection of animation art and memorabilia that has been used to educate and inspire learning for students in the New York City public school system. This is a large collection that includes comic books and strips, animation cels and drawings, rare video clips, vintage board games, metal lunch boxes, tin litho wind-ups, action figures and movie memorabilia such as posters and costumes. The collection has become as eclectic as a well-devised yard sale with something for everyone.

The ultimate vision for the museum is far larger than what a residential dwelling with zoning restrictions would allow. I always had the intention of finding a designated space with relatively easy public transportation access to the public. I envision this space in an old church, school, bank, theater, or movie house where I could retain the ambiance of the occupant’s prior history as it merges with the technology of the present and future. This venue will allow animation collectors a place to loan their collections for display and undiscovered artists to display their work to gain more exposure. While it is nice for people to see and admire the covers of vintage comics, records, or books, it would be even more exciting to have digital and audio versions available for people to access. This includes rare interviews, programs and commercials.

I anticipate being able to provide stipends to teachers who can develop creative, engaging and standards-based educational lessons based on the museum’s collection, keeping with the museum’s EPPIC mission. I also look forward to providing academic scholarships to students who are seriously interested in pursuing the arts and committed to giving back to the community. As I have shared my dreams in trying to create this museum, I have met numerous worthy artists that never achieved their due success. This was not because of a lack of talent, but because there was no venue to allow them to shine. I hope to correct this. Hopefully, the museum will be responsible for the discovery and promotion of the next Mel Blanc (Legendary voice artist and “Man of a 1000 Voices”), Jack Kirby (prolific and innovative comic book artist), Iwao Takamoto and Friz Freleng (Legendary animators and creators), Tex Avery (American golden age animator and director), Matt Groening (The Simpsons), Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s laboratory), Seth McFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad) or Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh (Phineas & Ferb).

Lastly, I would like to extend the museum’s services to disadvantaged and sick children and their families, such as those treated by St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network, who need an escape from their undeserving reality. To have the ability to create an opportunity for these children to have a joyful experience and meet their cartoon idols makes this an even more rewarding endeavor.

If you follow the link www.nymaam.org it will give you more information about the museum’s history, contact information, and the opportunity for a very small glimpse into the collection. I look forward to a time when this collection can be on display in an appropriately sized venue.

I thank you in advance for considering this dream worthy of your financial support and bringing it closer to realization.