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THE MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON
[[underlined]] Masterpieces of Five Centuries [[/underlined]] ...
... [[underlined]] Norton Simon Collection [[/underlined]]
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public through the broad scope of its educational programs and initiation of community projects, as well as through the variety and high caliber of its exhibitions, and he placed particular emphasis on the exceptional quality of the Museum's monthly [[underlined]] Bulletin. [[/underlined]]

In initiating the loan, Mr. Simon pointed out that, after many years of deliberation, the boards of The North Simon Foundation and North Simon Inc. Museum of Art decided to consider alternatives to the historical precedent of building a museum structure for the Simon collections, even though their combined magnitude and quality would surpass all but a few major art museums in America. "It is my belief," he explained, "that, with the best intent, we have in this country given more attention to building museum structures than the acquiring art. In deciding against a permanent museum building, we hoped to fill a real gap in the cultural life of this country and achieve maximum effectiveness out of the works of art. We may yet build, but there  seems to be some dynamic possibilities if we could develop long-term relationships with five or six museums around the country. We are indeed pleased to be associated with The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston as we explore the value of this approach."

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