BRAMA, August 2, 2001, 10am ET

The Ukrainian Museum 203 Second Avenue (bet. 12th & 13th Sts.) New York, NY 10003 Wed. thru Sun. 1-5PM (212) 228-0110 e-mail: info@UkrainianMuseum.org * www.ukrainianmuseum.org

Museum Signs Building Contract

Olha Hnateyko, President of the Ukrainian Museum Board of Trustees, signs the construction contract.

The Board of Trustees of the Ukrainian Museum announced that the president of the Board, Olha Hnateyko has signed the building contract to begin construction of a new Museum facility on East 6^th Street in New York City. The estimated $7.6 million building will be an important addition in the rejuvenation of the greater lower East Side neighborhood.

The contract was signed with S. Digiacomo & Son, Inc., a costruction management, general contracting and technology management firm, which was the bid winner for this project.

The architectural plans for the new building were designed and produced by Ukrainian architect George Sawicki of the Manhattan-based firm Sawicki Tarella Architecture+Design, PC. The projected new facility of 25,000 sq. feet will be a three-story modern building, with spacious exhibition galleries, an auditorium, climate controlled collections' storage spaces, a library, classrooms and workrooms, offices, a gift shop and a gallery/coffee shop.

A unanimous vote launches the Ukrainian Museum construction project into action.

The building project, which has been held in abeyance for some time due to lack of funds, was reactivated last December with the donation of $2.5 million to the Building Fund from Eugene and Daymel Shklar. The Shklars also established a Challenge Grant of $1 million to raise additional funds for the project. Through the Grant, donations to the Museum are being matched dollar for dollar.

Actual construction of the new Museum facility will begin upon the receipt of permits by the builder from New York City's Department of Buildings.

The Museum, which is celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year has been a vital, nurturing institution to the Ukrainian community, preserving the bounty and richness of our cultural legacy. The institution has also made a name for itself among its peers and with the general public through its multifaceted agenda, introducing the Ukrainian experience in exhibitions, publications, educational and community-related programs.

To support the building project the Museum is conducting a major fundraising campaign. For information how to contribute to this very important undertaking, please call (212) 228-0110 or visit our web site: www.ukrainianmuseum.org.

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