By Marilyn Bauer
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It's deję vu at the Taft Museum of Art. Monday, the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts and an anonymous "friend" of the museum pledged $1 million toward the museum's capital campaign.

It's a matching gift, which means the Taft must raise $1 million before reopening May 15.

"The tradition of community partnership began with the Tafts themselves," says Phillip C. Long, museum director. He's hoping the community will "step up" and give.

"In 1927 they pledged a gift of $1 million along with a challenge to the citizens of Cincinnati to raise $2.5 million to endow the Cincinnati Symphony and to establish the Cincinnati Institute of Fine Arts."

The museum needs about $3.6 million to meet its costs for the near-completed renovation and expansion project begun 21/2 years ago.

The expansion will double the size of the museum and allow it to increase its educational outreach.

Fifty thousand visitors pass through the Federal mansion's door each year. Museum officials hope to double its attendance.

The total amount required was recently revised from $19 million to $22.8 million because of delays in construction predominantly due to weather.

As of Monday, the museum had raised $19.2 million.

"We're approaching the two-minute warning," says Long. "This challenge signals that it is time for the rest of the community to ... become part of this project."

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Anyone interested in contributing can contact Cynthia Kearns, 684-4519. Make checks payable to the Taft Museum of Art and mail to Campaign for the Taft Museum, 316 Pike St., Cincinnati 45202.