Even when it opened in 1966, the Whitney Museum of American Art had space issues. With 2,000 pieces in its collection, it could only display 150 at a time in its flagship building on Madison Avenue. And now that its collection numbers about 18,000 works, the problem is causing a rift among the museum’s 45-member board. The progressive majority would like to build a second museum downtown to better show off the Whitney’s world-class collection. But a small group of longtime members, including Leonard Lauder who donated $131 million to the museum in 2006, see the plan as little more than an indulgence. The matter will be a key talking point when the board convenes next month. “This isn’t just the Whitney dreaming again,” said Brooke Garber Neidich, co-chairwoman of the board before adding, “There is a chance we can run two locations. It’s just down to money.”
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