The Armenian American Museum may receive $5 million in US state funds to help pay for its construction on a potential downtown Glendale site, in the US State of California.
State Assemblyman Adrin Nazarian appropriated state general fund money for the project in the upcoming budget, which still needs legislative approval and Governor Jerry Brown’s signature by mid-June.
The museum's foundation in 2014 first pitched its proposal for a 30,000-square-foot museum to house artworks by Armenians and artists from other cultures, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Something like this museum can play a common denominator for furthering intercultural relations,” Nazarian told the newspaper.
Nazarian said he has been in talks with museum officials, who requested the $5 million. That money will be earmarked for construction only; ongoing operational costs would have to be covered through fundraising and donations, he added.
Also, an educational center will be built next to the museum.