An editorial in Thursday’s paper takes up for the beleaguered Taubman Museum of Art and calls for supporters in the community to think about how to help. Read it below. Comments welcome.

Editorial: A call for leadership at the Taubman
The museum isn’t the only organization living hand-to-mouth, but it faces unique challenges.

It took an unprecedented act of leadership to erect the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke.

That’s an undeniable fact, regardless of whether the asymmetrical building inspires curious stares, celebratory fist pumps or cringes.

It took another show of leadership to acknowledge justified criticism of the museum’s original mission and to respond to demands for more community-centered and family-friendly programming.

The museum’s survival now depends on a third show of leadership. Exactly how it will manifest itself remains unclear.

Certainly, wealthy individuals and corporate donors are needed to build an endowment that finally puts the museum’s finances on a sustainable footing. But broader support from throughout the Roanoke Valley is also crucial to the Taubman’s future.

The museum is not the only cultural organization in Roanoke living hand-to-mouth. The region possesses an enthusiasm for the arts that has enriched its quality of life, yet none of the outlets contributing to that vibrancy can boast of an adequate financial base. The Taubman’s unique operational demands merely make it the most in-your-face example of that larger challenge.

Click here to read the rest of the editorial.