Fleischer Museum to Close
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA,
November 5, 2002 …After thirteen years, Fleischer Museum, which
features American Impressionism California School, 1890-1930s and
Soviet Impressionism, 1930-1980s, will close its doors on November 15,
2002. From inception through August of 2001, funding for Fleischer
Museum operations and its facility were provided by Mort and Donna
Fleischer and Franchise Finance Corporation of America (FFCA). In
August of 2001, FFCA was purchased by GE Capital and the Fleischers
contemplated closing the Museum shortly thereafter.
Prior to the closing of the
sale of FFCA, the City of Scottsdale proposed that Fleischer Museum be
kept open and the City would provide operating funds and long term
financing for a new Fleischer Museum facility in downtown Scottsdale.
The City of Scottsdale did provide funds for an outside exhibit and
operations for Fleischer Museum from August of 2001 through mid
November of 2002 while plans were being made for the new downtown
Museum facility which was to be located in the Loloma redevelopment
district. After many months of planning and discussion, the closure of
the Museum is necessitated due to withdrawal of the City of
Scottsdale's interest in providing operating funds or continuing to
arrange or provide long term facility funding due to economic
conditions.