The ClaremontMuseum of Art, which has struggled to stay open since being pummeled bythe financial crisis, will shutter to the public on Dec. 27 and move itspermanent collection of about 100 items to a warehouse.

The museum, which has featured exhibitions bysuch artists as Karl Benjamin and James Hueter and currently rents space in a former citrus packingplant, is scheduled to move out by Dec. 31, according to museum officials.

In October, the museum announced that three expected donations hadfailed to come through, forcing it to lay off its entirefull-time staff of five and to operate withvolunteers. In 2008, reports claimed the museum received a $10 million giftfrom an anonymous donor, but a spokesperson for the museum saidthat was a deferred gift and that it can't be used for operatingexpenses at this time. In November, the Claremont City Council donated $18,879 to keep the museum open through the end of 2009.

Board members are now exploring ways to exhibit the current collection at different locations.

"We want to remain alive as kind of a virtual museum, or if youlike, a museum without walls," said Marguerite McIntosh, the foundingpresident of the museum and a board member.

In the last six weeks, the museum, which has about $70,000 in debt, has raised just $26,000 inpledges toward a $100,000 goal. The cost torun the museum for a year with one full-time employee would be about$213,000, museum officials estimate. In the past, the museum's  budget had run close to $900,000 per year.

Read more at the LA Times.