$28 million gift by philanthropists Cornelia and Dick Corbett anchors art museum’s centennial expansion campaign, promising to reshape the cultural landscape of the region and expand access to the arts for generations

A historic milestone has been set in Florida’s art community with philanthropist and real estate magnate Dick Corbett’s $28 million donation to the Tampa Museum of Art, now recognized as the most significant private gift ever given to a public art museum in the state’s history.

This gift anchors the museum’s Centennial Expansion campaign, promising to reshape the cultural landscape of the region and expand access to the arts for generations to come.

As the lead donor in the museum’s Centennial Capital Campaign, Corbett’s unprecedented $28 million cash donation will support a comprehensive renovation and expansion project.

The initiative, which has drawn more than $100 million in collective support from individuals, corporations, and government agencies, aims to more than double the museum’s size, expanding its footprint from 69,000 to 120,000 square feet and tripling its exhibition and collections areas from 14,800 to 43,000 square feet.

The expanded space will include new galleries, a 150-seat auditorium, an education center serving up to 24,000 students each year, public dining, event venues, outdoor sculpture spaces, and enhanced community programming along Tampa’s iconic Riverwalk.

The project’s architectural vision—a crystalline pier projecting toward the river—signals a commitment to making world-class art and culture accessible in innovative, communal environments.

Dick Corbett’s Tampa roots and philanthropic ethos have long been evident.

As president and CEO of the Tampa-based real estate development firm Concorde Companies, Corbett was instrumental in the creation of Tampa International Plaza—a project credited with transforming the region’s commercial and civic landscape.

Over decades, Corbett and his wife, Cornelia, have championed local institutions, having previously funded the Corbett Family Hall at the University of Notre Dame with a $35 million gift and leading support for educational and conservation initiatives throughout Florida.

Corbett’s charitable work extends far beyond the visual arts: he has invested in transformative projects for K–12 education, youth conservation, and the advancement of public parks and cultural infrastructure.

The Corbett family’s deep involvement with the Tampa Museum of Art spans decades, and the museum’s signature Cornelia Corbett Center testifies to their ongoing legacy.

According to Tampa Museum of Art leadership, no previous donation to a public art museum in Florida has matched the pure scale and cash value of Corbett’s gift.

Whereas other major contributions have often combined cash with collections of art, Corbett’s stand-alone financial commitment is all the more noteworthy for its scale and catalytic influence on the museum’s future.

Museum Executive Director Michael Tomor remarked, “This gift from Dick Corbett makes history in Florida’s art community because it constitutes the single largest private donation ever made to a public art museum and art education center in this state.”

The museum hopes the gift will inspire other philanthropists to invest in the future of Florida’s cultural institutions, multiplying the impact for the wider community.

The expanded Tampa Museum of Art is not just brick and mortar—it represents a commitment to civic engagement, lifelong learning, and the transformative power of the arts.

Corbett himself emphasized this vision: “The Tampa Museum of Art strengthens arts and culture in our vibrant city and opens the eyes of schoolchildren to the power of beauty and imagination. I am proud to make this historic gift to TMA in celebration of its centennial anniversary. My hope is that it will encourage others who have the means to give back to also join in and support the growth of the museum’s world-class exhibits and programs”.

Construction on the expansion is underway, with continued fundraising set to secure the museum’s place as a leading destination for art, education, and cultural connectivity in Florida and beyond.

Florida’s art world now watches as Corbett’s landmark contribution brings the museum’s vision closer to reality—a testament to what private philanthropy can achieve for the public good.