Dr. Albert C. Barnes established the Barnes Foundation in 1922 through an indenture of trust to house his extensive art collection and make art education accessible to ordinary working people. Over the decades, the financial viability of keeping the collection at its original location became uncertain, leading to litigation over moving it to a new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Supporters argue this move fulfills Barnes' mission by making the collection accessible to more people in a sustainable way through expanded facilities, while critics argue it violates the original terms of the trust.

1. The Barnes Foundation An Introduction artzineonline.com

2. Dr. Albert C. Barnes Born 1872 in Philadelphia Studied medicine, chemistry, and pharmacology Created Argyrol in 1902, bought out company in 1908 Started collecting art in 1910 new-york-art.com

3. The Barnes Galleries

4. Indenture of Trust First established in 1922 Edited several times before Barnes’ sudden death in 1951 This charitable trust was to be maintained in perpetuity after Barnes’ death

5. Early Litigation & The Barnes In 1960, a judge ruled that the Barnes Foundation could be open to the public: 200 hundred visitors per day for two days per week Revocation of tax status threatened Through 1960s and 1970s, the Foundation was run mostly according to the slightly amended Indenture of Trust

6. “ Current” Controversy Early 1990s - worldwide exhibition of paintings Early 2000s - Foundation has used up the $6 million operating fund and exhibit funds 2004 - Montgomery County Orphans’ Court rules that the Barnes move to the Parkway 2009 - Architectural plan published, construction started on new building

7. In Favor of the Move Barnes Foundation

8. The Reason The move preserves, in the most sustainable sense, the goals that Dr. Barnes had in mind when he created the Foundation in 1922 - to educate ordinary, working-class people.

9. Barnes’ Own Words “ It will be incumbent upon the Board of Trustees to make such regulations as will ensure that it is the plain people , that is, men and women who gain their livelihood by daily toil in shops, factories, schools, stores and similar places, who shall have free access to the art gallery upon those days when the gallery is open to the public.” Section 31, Indenture of Trust

10. Location, Location, Location 300 North Latches Lane, Merion, PA

11. Location, Location, Location $17 + $4 + 1 mile walk = $21 (and 1 mile/person) $17 + $15 = $32 (and a car) Driving a Car Public Transportation from 30th Street Station

12. On the Parkway Barnes Foundation

13. On the Parkway Barnes Foundation George Widman/AP

14. On the Parkway New 93,000 square foot building includes: a classroom space on each floor a garden area where one can take a break from the galleries a lecture hall a café and museum store

15. Fulfilling the Mission “ Bringing the Barnes Foundation’s art collection to a new home on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will fulfill Dr. Barnes’s educational mission in crucial ways appropriate to the 21st century.” Derek Gillman Executive Director and President of the Barnes Foundation

16. Fulfilling the Mission “ It may… hereafter appear that some one or more of the trusts, conditions and stipulations… are improper or impracticable and should be modified.” Section 32, Indenture of Trust

17. What did Barnes want?

18. The Final Words “ ‘ An art gallery for the education of the public,’ and ‘the education of the masses in art, etc.’… That, of course, is the purpose of the Foundation after I am gone… I want to prepare the way for the gallery to be a public one after my death.” Albert C. Barnes to Owen J. Roberts, 1923