One of the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s premiere art museums is staying put for at least another 25 years.
After a two-decade contract between the city of Biloxi and the Ohr O’Keefe Museum ended in 2023, many voiced concerns about the future of the museum. On Tuesday, those worries were eased when the city council voted to continue the original agreement.
The lease agreement signed in 2003 ensured the city still owned the land and the buildings while museum owners leased from the city. The same terms and conditions will now go into effect until 2049.
John Majure, public affairs specialist for the city of Biloxi, explained to WLOX the advantages of keeping the museum grounds under city ownership.
“[The agreement] allows for in case there’s storms or whatever that we’re eligible for funds to restore it and keep it going on the Gulf Coast,” Majure said, adding that government-provided insurance options are also available to museum employees.
“Even though they’re not city employees, they have the option to purchase the benefits city employees are eligible for. They can purchase those if they would like. They’re not mandatory, but they are available to them.”
The Ohr O’Keefe Museum, located on Beach Boulevard, celebrates and showcases the work of Mississippi potter George Ohr. The oddly shaped, “dancing buildings” that host portions of the museum were designed by architect Frank Gehry as a visible tribute to Ohr’s work.
