News

American Sign Museum Launches Expansion Campaign

Goal of $5.5 million would double the space.

Published

1 year ago

November 2, 2022

The American Sign Museum (ASM, Cincinnati) has launched “A Campaign for the American Sign Museum” to raise $5.5 million for an expansion into a 20,000-sq.-ft. unfinished portion of its current building, which will double the size of space. According to a statement from ASM, to date, the Museum has reached 76% of its fundraising goal with investments from donors from across the country.

(Left to right) Director Cindy Kearns, Founder and Campaign Co-Chair Tod Swormstedt, and Board Member and Campaign Co-Chair Dick Duval.

Since opening in its current location in the Camp Washington neighborhood of Cincinnati in 2012, ASM has realized continuous growth. “The collection has grown by 157%, attendance has increased 106%, revenues have increased by 91% and the membership base has doubled,” per the statement. “These successes place the Museum in a unique position as all physical spaces are feeling the impact of this extraordinary progress.”

Construction on Phase I, which includes staff offices, a conference room, and collections area is complete.

Phase IA, which includes a library and resource center, a new exterior sign garden along Monmouth Avenue, and a special events bar is underway with an expected completion date in early 2023.

Phase II of the expansion will complete the design concept and construction of the remaining museum expansion including an extension of the current “Main Street” exhibition space, a multi-use workshop and flex-space to support programming, catering kitchen, and storage area. Construction on Phase II is expected to be finished in late 2023.

A Leadership gift from the Swormstedt Family, Tod Swormstedt, Tedd Swormstedt & Pam Kalkoff, Wade Swormstedt, the Winifred & Dave Swormstedt Family Fund, and Wynne & Greg Winchell, will name the new expansion the Swormstedt Family Wing.

Major gifts have been received from The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, the Foundation for the Advancement of the Sign Industry, and Siri and Fred Oss of Gemini Sign Products. Additionally, the Museum was awarded $750,000 from the State of Ohio and has committed to self-fund 5% of project costs.

Project partners include John Gavozzi of Turnbull Wahlert, Kurt Platte and Melissa Reedy with Platte Architecture + Design and Jim Yunker of The Yunker Group.

To make a donation, click here.

For more information, visit americansignmuseum.org.

Introducing the Sign Industry Podcast

The Sign Industry Podcast is a platform for every sign person out there — from the old-timers who bent neon and hand-lettered boats to those venturing into new technologies — we want to get their stories out for everyone to hear. Come join us and listen to stories, learn tricks or techniques, and get insights of what’s to come. We are the world’s second oldest profession. The folks who started the world’s oldest profession needed a sign.