Its Georgia O’Keeffe Is Worth Millions. And Its Dorms Need Updating.

Nicholas O'Donnell was quoted in the article "Its Georgia O’Keeffe Is Worth Millions. And Its Dorms Need Updating.," published by The New York Times [sub. req'd] on March 10, 2023. 

The article discusses the controversy surrounding Valparaiso University's potential sale of portions of its collection at the school's Brauer Museum of Art, including a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe, to help fund needed renovations to one of the school's dormitories. The school's faculty senate last week passed a resolution seeking to stop the sale of the artwork and find different means of financing the renovations. The debate centers on the legality of deaccessioning artwork to close budget gaps, including whether such a sale of certain pieces in the university's collection would violate a trust agreement when the pieces were donated decades ago.

“The trust is very clear about what the art is supposed to be used for,” O’Donnell said. “It is not to be used as a piggy bank.”