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Among the many important paintings in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's collection is John Singer Sargent's (American, 1856-1925) 1885 oil-on-canvas work titled 'Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife.'

Walton foundation gives Arkansas museum $800 million

Catherine Saunders-Watson
Catherine Saunders-Watson
Among the many important paintings in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's collection is John Singer Sargent's (American, 1856-1925) 1885 oil-on-canvas work titled 'Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife.'
Among the many important paintings in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s collection is John Singer Sargent’s (American, 1856-1925) 1885 oil-on-canvas work titled ‘Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife.’

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) – A Bentonville museum has received $800 million in endowments from the Walton Family Foundation.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art executive director Don Bacigalupi announced the gifts on Wednesday.

Officials say the largest endowment – $350 million – will go toward operating the museum; $325 million will be used for acquisitions and $125 million will be used for capital improvements.

Officials say they expect the endowments to be supplemented with other gifts and memberships, as well as earned income.

Walton Family Foundation board member Alice Walton said in the statement that by investing in the museum, her family had laid a foundation for the institution to grow as a resource for Bentonville, the state of Arkansas and the entire country.

Alice Walton is an heir to Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

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ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

Among the many important paintings in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art's collection is John Singer Sargent's (American, 1856-1925) 1885 oil-on-canvas work titled 'Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife.'
Among the many important paintings in the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art’s collection is John Singer Sargent’s (American, 1856-1925) 1885 oil-on-canvas work titled ‘Robert Louis Stevenson and His Wife.’