SAINT LOUIS, MO.- The Saint Louis Art Museum announced today that Museum Director Brent Benjamin will be on KFUO-FM/Classic 99's "Friday Morning with the Arts" program on January 9. During the hour-long segment he will discuss the Museum's expansion and renovation project as well as upcoming exhibitions and events.

Designed by London-based architect David Chipperfield, the Saint Louis Art Museum's $125 million expansion project is being financed through the largest capital campaign for a cultural institution in St. Louis. As of November 30, 2008, the Museum's Campaign has raised commitments of more than $120 million toward its initial $125 million goal. This total represents a combination of over $50 million in cash contributions to date and promised gifts to support the expansion project.

Facing an unstable credit market, the Museum's Board of Commissioners decided in early November 2008 to delay the start of the project. Once begun, construction is anticipated to take approximately two years.

In addition, Benjamin's interview comes as the Museum prepares to close Action/Abstraction: Pollock, de Kooning, and American Art, 1940–1976 on January 11, 2009. The next special exhibition—Power and Glory: Court Arts of China's Ming Dynasty—will open February 22, 2009