The Booth Western Art Museum recently accepted an invitation to join the renowned Museum's West Consortium, a nationally recognized group of Western art museums from across the country. The Booth Museum and the Denver Art Museum's Petrie Institute of Western Art are the newest members of the now 10 member organization. The Booth Museum will work collaboratively with other member institutions on various projects and participate in joint marketing efforts that will continue to increase awareness of Western art. In addition, members of the Booth Museum at the Friend level ($150) and above will now enjoy free admission to other museums in the consortium.
 
     Founded in 1991, Museum's West is a consortium of independent collegial museums, each nationally renowned for its collection. These museums are each organized for the purpose of developing and expanding an awareness and appreciation of the North American West. Through joint efforts, the member institutions of Museums West explore opportunities and initiatives to study, exhibit, publish, interpret, and advance the Western region's overall art, history and cultures for the benefit of diverse audiences.
 
     Other institutions in the Museum's West Consortium include Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, Texas; Autry National Center, Los Angeles; Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Cody, Wyoming; Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, Indianapolis, Indiana; National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; National Museum of Wildlife Art, Jackson Hole, Wyoming; and Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Corning, New York. 

     "The board of directors of Museums West is pleased to welcome the Booth Western Art Museum as a member of our Western museum consortium," said John Vanausdall, President of Museums West and President/CEO of the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. "The Booth Museum has done much to further the field of Western art nationally, and especially in the Southeast, through its outstanding collection representing the Western American artists of today, along with dynamic exhibitions and programs." 

     "We are very proud the Booth has been selected for inclusion in this prestigious organization," said Seth Hopkins, Executive Director of the Booth Western Art Museum.  "When we first began work on the Booth in 2000, it was one of our long-term goals to eventually be part of Museums West. To see that dream come true is a result of great leadership from our board of directors and hard work by our staff and volunteers. We look forward to collaborating with the other museums and seeing the results of those collaborations shared with our members and guests."

 
     The news of the Booth Museum's inclusion in Museums West comes as the Museum begins construction on a 40,000 square foot addition that will secure its standing as the second largest art museum in Georgia.
The expansion will greatly increase gallery space and provide more room for special events. Construction is expected to take two years, with an anticipated opening in late 2009. Continued donations of major works of art by generous patrons insure that there will be important art to present in the expanded space. 
 
     The Booth Museum was also named an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in 2006. Currently there are 159 Affiliates in 39 states, the District of Columbia, Panama and Puerto Rico.   
About Booth Western Art Museum
The Booth Western Art Museum, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is an 80,000 square foot museum located in Cartersville, Georgia, where guests are invited to explore the American West through contemporary Western artwork. The Museum also houses a Presidential Gallery, Civil War art gallery, and Sagebrush Ranch - featuring hands-on art activities and areas for role-playing, storytelling and reading, all with a Western flair. Visitors to Booth Museum also enjoy the intimate downtown setting with unique specialty and antique shops, boutiques and nationally featured restaurants all within walking distance of the Museum. Open since August 2003, the Booth Museum is the only museum of its kind in the Southeast and is the second largest art museum in the state of Georgia. To learn more about the Booth Western Art Museum, visit www.boothmuseum.org.