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Washington County Museum of Fine Arts asks commissioners for $142,000 and previews expansion
Summary
The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts asked the Board of County Commissioners for $142,000 in FY26 support (a $2,000 increase) and described an expansion project aimed at improved accessibility, additional education programming, and schematic design underway with Cooper Robertson Architects.
Leaders of the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts presented the museum’s annual report and asked the board for $142,000 in county support for fiscal year 2026, an increase of $2,000 over the prior year.
Executive Director Sarah Hall outlined recent exhibitions, youth education programs, increased weekend hours, adaptive programming for visitors with special needs, and attendance trends, citing roughly 6,000–7,000 student visits annually from Washington County Public Schools. Treasurer Justin Harding said 2024 expenses totaled $1,961,000 with income of $1,990,000 and that government support is part of a diversified revenue stream; he told commissioners that contributed income includes support from the county, the city of Hagerstown and the Maryland State Arts Council.
Hall described a capital campaign and an expansion of the museum campus to add space for programming and to create a level entrance for improved accessibility. She said the museum is working with Cooper Robertson Architects on schematic design and expects to finish schematic design in April. The museum reported it is about 50% of the way toward private philanthropy goals for the expansion and asked the county to sustain and slightly increase its operating support.
Commissioner Barr and others praised the museum’s programming and community role. The request for $142,000 was presented as part of the museum’s FY26 planning; commissioners did not vote on the funding during the meeting.
