As you may know, on June 2, 2020 the Fullerton city council voted 5-0 to keep the Fullerton Museum Center closed indefinitely and to reassign full-time staff to other positions. Previously, all part-time staff employed at the museum were laid off.
While the FMC Board of Trustees understands the current unexpected financial position facing the city, it is nevertheless disturbing that the city is closing this very important resource to its citizens, which serves as the hub of downtown Fullerton, for a nebulous, unspecified length of time.
What does this mean to you?
- NO Fullerton Market events or live music in the Plaza.
- NO Beer and Wine Garden.
- NO FMC Gallery exhibits.
- NO access to the Leo Fender Gallery.
- NO FMC-sponsored and guided Airport tours.
- NO Taco festival.
- NO Adult art classes.
- NO cultural and educational programs which have served over 7,000 of Fullerton’s youth.
- NO Summer Camps for kids.
- NO Art Walks inside the museum.
- NO FMC participation with the Day of Music.
- Etc., etc., etc.
While we hope and believe that this will be a temporary closure, we ask that you continue to contact members of the city council to voice your support on behalf of the FMC, and to keep our organization and the benefits that are provided in mind.
We have a very active Board of Trustees, and I can assure you that we have no intentions of folding up our tent and walking away. To paraphrase Mark Twain, “The rumors of (our) death are greatly exaggerated.”
We will be looking for ways to remain active and relevant without paid FMC staff. Please keep in contact with us through our social media sites: https://www.facebook.com/FullertonMuseum/ and https://www.instagram.com/fullertonmuseum/.
I do have some good news! The FMC gift shop will be OPEN for the final three Thursday’s in June from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. We are having a special 50% Off (NOT) Going out of Business / Father’s Day Sale on June 11, 18 and 25. Please stop by and support your favorite museum with a purchase.
Prior to our March COVID-19 closure the gift shop was stocked with new Fender gear and accessories, as well as several items related to our Golden Books exhibit… plus much, much more!
Please respect our staff by wearing a face mask and maintaining proper social distancing when in the gift shop. Thanks!
Kirk G. San Roman,
President, FMC Board of Trustees
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Protect local journalism – please subscribe to the print edition or online edition of the Fullerton Observer. All editions are free, but subscriptions keep us printing, distributing, and posting the paper. Annual subscription is only $39/year. It only takes a minute – Click Here To Subscribe. Thank you for your support for the Fullerton Observer. Click here to view a copy of the print edition.
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Categories: Arts
This closure breaks my heart. It is what is culturally unique in Fullerton. The exhibits have always been intriguing. Of course, the gift shop has lots of great, unusual items. I miss it already. And don’t forget the haunted Fullerton walks…..
Please support the Museum and renew your membership while you are shopping. It has been a lonely time without the Farmer’s Market.
I am a fan of the Museum, and of your leadership, Kirk. Just let me know the date of the re-opening party.
The museum is a haven from the distressing environment of corporate news and confused public opinion. Art conveys the truth of these elements of distress in a manner that makes the tangle of worries a smooth dance of reverie. If the beaches are open with safety guidelines, the hair salons/barbers/markets/liquor stores/restaurants/hardware stores and just about everything under the sun – why not the most peaceful location in Orange County – the fantastic museums that give us understanding of our shared experience and a valuable respite?