The Washington state institution’s optimistic director hopes a larger museum will step in as a partner

The museum has already raised more than $200,000 (with the help of a generous reader of 'The Art Newspaper'), and its director is looking to local tech companies as future partners

The institution may be forced to close its doors if it doesn't raise the requisite funds, says its permanent director less than a week into her new role

He even hired Alaska Natives as clerks in his stores as part of the ruse, and will serve the longest sentence on record for violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act

The gift from 53 local patrons is one of the largest in the history of institutional donations