Old Arsenal Museum in Kiev Gathers Patrons

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"Mystetskyi Arsenal", once a cannon-yard with over 15 acres of warehouses, repair shops and weapon forges, plans to become one of the biggest museums in the world hosting the most iconic cultural events in Ukraine.

[Natalia Zabolotnaya, Director, Mystetskyi Arsenal]:
"Mystetskyi Arsenal" is a mega-museum, designed to change people's minds about museums. It completely breaks the stereotypes that the museum is boring, not interesting and a place for the elite."

Today Friends of Arsenal are gathered here - people who are willing to donate funds to support the reconstruction of the museum.

Initiator of the project – former president of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko, says he saw the potential of the Arsenal the first time he saw it 14 years ago.

[Viktor Yushchenko, Project Initiator and Former President]:
"The floor was dirty or missing and for some reason a lot of it was green. A lot of bricks, so many broken windows, broken staircases missing staircases, and there were still some cranes."

400 thousand visitors attended 10 major exhibitions at the old Arsenal this year.

There's a plan to create a museum of Ukrainian art and an art school here as well.

"Mystetskyi Arsenal" is expected to hold its first Kiev Biennial this coming spring.

[Natalia Zabolotnaya, Director, Mystetskyi Arsenal]:
"This is not just a window to Europe. This will be the the door to the world."

NTD News, Kiev, Ukraine