A New Museum For Boston?

For some time now, the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton has been quietly looking into opening an outpost in Boston. Among the ideas it has explored is partnering with another institution in the city.

“A satellite space is one of several options the museum is currently looking at as we seek to increase our visibility as the only craft museum in New England. There have been no decisions either way at this time and, in any case, would be long into the future,” emailed Chris Rifkin, chair of the Fuller’s board of directors, who declined to comment further.

A spokesperson for the Boston Redevelopment Authority reported, “At this time the Fuller Craft Museum has not secured a location in Boston, however, they are interested in operations in the city and plan to continue the discussion among their board.”

One of the options the Fuller has considered is joining up with the Society of Arts and Crafts, which is currently based on Newbury Street in Boston.

“Because of a shared passion and commitment to craft, The Fuller Craft Museum and the Society of Arts and Crafts recently explored the possibility of merging their efforts,” wrote Beth Ann Gerstein, executive director of the arts and crafts society. “After careful consideration, it was agreed that the needs of the craft community are best served by maintaining two separate organizations. FCM and SAC will, of course, continue to collaborate as they have successfully done for many years.”

The Fuller Craft Museum is the legacy of Brockton native Myron Fuller, who set up a $1 million trust fund in 1946 to launch an art museum and cultural center. It opened in 1969 as the Brockton Art Center Fuller Memorial, which became the broadly focused Fuller Art Museum (and was notable for its showcases of Massachusetts artists) and then, in 2004, the Fuller Craft Museum, devoted solely to contemporary craft.

For now at least, Fuller Communications Director Titilayo Ngwenya says, “Fuller Craft Museum has no plans to open a satellite office in Boston or move to Boston. We love our beautiful location right on Porter’s Pond, and we are proud to be a part of the Brockton cultural landscape.”