OCEANVILLE (GALLOWAY TWP.), NJ -- The Noyes Museum of Art of Stockton University is currently weighing its options in terms of dealing with building issues that have created significant challenges over the past several years. One option under consideration is a move to a temporary site in Atlantic City.
The situation is under the careful review of a New Site Task Force populated with individuals from the museum, the Noyes Foundation and Stockton University. The museum building has well served the region for the past 33 years, but the costs of repair and updating the building have been daunting, said Michael Cagno, the Executive Director of the museum. Issues such as ADA compliance, parking and lighting have always been a challenge for the museum. Recently, the museum had to deal with the loss of its air conditioning during the summer months.
“The Noyes Museum’s mission was built upon the core of the art collection of the late founders, Fred and Ethel Noyes, and its main focus is to provide the southern New Jersey region with opportunities to learn about, explore and experience the arts,” Cagno said.
The museum has been part of a collaborative agreement with Stockton University and the Noyes Foundation since 2010. Since signing the agreement, the museum has increased its membership, programs, and opportunities for artists and community engagement. The museum is an independent non-profit organization. For the past five years, the museum has been working closely with Stockton on various building issues, with Stockton lending both expertise and financial support. The Noyes Museum is currently at the midway point in the 10-year collaborative agreement with Stockton and the Noyes Foundation. The museum also receives funding from the Geraldine Dodge Foundation and the New Jersey Council on the Arts.
Though the Oceanville lakeside location is beautiful, it is off the beaten track, Cagno noted. For a number of years, the museum has increased its hours and programs to attract people to that location but traffic has not dramatically increased.
The Noyes Museum rents the building at 733 Lily Lake Road, which is owned by the Noyes Foundation, a separate 501C-3 non-profit organization. The Noyes Foundation is looking at a variety of options relative to the future of the building. “The Noyes Foundation has strongly supported the Museum since its founding in 1983,” said Michael Hyett, the President of the Noyes Foundation Board of Trustees.
“If the museum chooses to relocate, then one of its options is moving to a temporary site for two or three years while it seeks a permanent home for its art exhibitions and programs,” Cagno said. Multiple temporary sites are under consideration.
The museum is giving serious consideration to a temporary site in Atlantic City. “Atlantic City is very culturally diverse and there is a lot of positive energy, time and money being devoted to its renaissance,” Cagno said. “The mission of the museum is to support the arts of southern New Jersey. We believe being in Atlantic City would help fulfill the mission with greater impact.”
“No matter where the main museum site is located, the Noyes Museum will continue to serve the southern New Jersey arts and cultural community with its locations at Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club in Galloway, the Noyes Museum Shop in Hammonton, and the Noyes Arts Garage of Stockton in Atlantic City,” said Lewis Leitner, President of the Noyes Museum Board of Trustees.
Furthermore, Leitner stated, “People should not interpret this news as the end of something. It may in fact be the beginning of a new era for the Noyes Museum. The Noyes Museum happens to be the only fine arts museum in all of South Jersey. The museum will continue to be a valuable resource for the artists and art lovers of this region.”