The largest gift Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) has ever received from a living donor will fund a $2 million expansion of Dennos Museum.

The gift from benefactors Diana and Richard Milock will fund a nearly 9,000 square foot expansion on the east side of Dennos, including a new permanent collection gallery and sculpture gallery. The project is scheduled to break ground next spring, which coincides with the 25th anniversary of the museum.

The expansion will also include new classroom space, an improved loading dock, and increased storage.

 “I want the Dennos to become a centerpiece of culture for northern Michigan,” says Diana Milock, who has served on the NMC Foundation’s board since 2011. “The Dennos has so many wonderful things to offer, and it’s not always recognized by the people who live there. We want to draw the kind of attention that it deserves.”

Discussions about expanding the Dennos date back to 2006 with Mike and Barb Dennos, who funded the museum originally. Museum director Gene Jenneman shared the conceptual drawings with the Milocks five years ago, and that conversation is about to bear fruit.

“The Milocks are long-time supporters of the college and lovers of art,” says Rebecca Teahen, executive director of resource development and the NMC Foundation, which is coordinating the gift. “This transformational gift will reposition the Dennos in our region and help us bring many more visitors to the museum.”

Jenneman hopes that the new permanent collection gallery (to be called the Eugene Jenneman Permanent Collection Gallery) and sculpture gallery (to be called the Diana & Richard Milock Sculpture Gallery) will help Dennos attract more art from benefactors.