Cleveland Museum of Art Announces $7.5 Million Gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

CLEVELAND (August 22, 2012) – The Cleveland Museum of Art today announced a significant gift from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation in support of the museum's renovation and expansion project, scheduled to be completed at the end of 2013. The gift was approved by the trustees of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation during its board meeting on Tuesday, August 21. In celebration of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation's support, the museum's iconic armor court will be known henceforth as the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Armor Court.

"The Mandel family's commitment to philanthropy in Cleveland is truly remarkable," said David Franklin, Sarah S. and Alexander M. Cutler Director of the Cleveland Museum of Art. "This gift represents a significant milestone in their ongoing support of the museum and its renovation and expansion project. Philanthropists such as the Mandel family founded this museum and help make it the world-class institution we have today. We are proud to recognize their generosity in one of the museum's most cherished and revered galleries: the armor court."

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Armor Court holds a growing collection of approximately 400 pieces of chain mail, swords, daggers, halberds, helmets, and suits of armor. A visitor favorite since it opened in 1916, the gallery is dominated by a 16th-century Italian parade armor for horse and rider. Flemish tapestries from the 17th century adorn the high walls of the space, making the visitor feel transported to another place and time.

"This gallery welcomes and delights everyone from young children on field trips to seniors and is one of Clevelanders' most treasured spaces," said Mr. Morton Mandel, chairman of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. "The museum touches thousands of lives from all over the globe every year, reflecting our foundation's philosophy of investing in institutions with the passion to change the world. I encourage everyone to support this global treasure right here in Northeast Ohio by helping the museum achieve its capital campaign goals."

About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation

Established by Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel of Cleveland, Ohio, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation's primary mission is to provide outstanding leadership for the nonprofit world. It supports leadership education programs in its own institutions and at selected universities and organizations worldwide.