In a letter to the editor, Jersey City resident Raymond E. Mingst explains why he feels the city must “seize the moment” and commit to the Centre Pompidou project.
Dear Editor and fellow Jersey City residents,
I write once again in unwavering support of the Pompidou X Jersey City project—a museum of excellence that promises to inspire and elevate our community.
We stand at a critical juncture. Since 2010, Jersey City has lacked a true art museum, and I assert that we deserve far more than a regional art fair or scattered local showcases.
What we need is an enduring institution that reflects our highest ideals and aspirations, a museum that is a beacon of hope, inspiration, and cultural engagement.
The arguments questioning the feasibility of the Pompidou project, such as those raised by Samuel Pott in his recent letter to the Jersey City Council, while not without merit, ultimately miss the greater picture and potential of what this museum can offer.
Let me address these concerns one by one, not to dismiss them, but to clarify how they can and should be overcome.
First, it has been said that the planning for the Pompidou X project is rushed, lacking essential transparency.
This concern can and should be rectified with open, clear communication from those leading the project. However, let us not use this as an excuse for inaction.
The Centre Pompidou is not a fly-by-night venture; it is a world-class institution with decades of experience in cultural leadership, program development, and sustainability.
The global expertise it brings is precisely what can help Jersey City address the very concerns about planning and sustainability that some have raised.
Second, the concern about the physical space not being suitable for a museum must be taken seriously, but it is also something that can be addressed through collaboration with experienced architects and curators.
The Centre Pompidou has repeatedly proven its ability to adapt spaces to fit the needs of a modern museum. This is not a new challenge for them, and their expertise should give us confidence that these challenges can be resolved.
The Pompidou team is comprised of experts who have transformed spaces across the globe into cultural treasures.
Third, Pott’s assertion that Jersey City lacks the philanthropic infrastructure to support a museum of this scale is based on an old assumption—that our community does not have the capacity or ambition to support an institution of global significance. I challenge this.
The Pompidou X will not only draw international visitors but will also bring new opportunities for donors, philanthropists, and cultural investors who may not have seen Jersey City as a cultural destination before.
Most importantly, it will benefit our citizens, especially our students, who deserve access to an institution of this caliber, along with the cultural and educational opportunities it will bring.
It is important to recognize that the brilliant team from the Pompidou does not merely represent a French museum (as it’s often reductively referred to in public discourse).
While it is certainly a treasured institution of France, it is also an international treasure, dedicated to serving communities around the world.
The Pompidou has successfully expanded its footprint globally, with outposts in Belgium, Spain, and Shanghai, among other locations, demonstrating its commitment to bringing cultural excellence to diverse regions.
The Pompidou is not defined solely by its French origins, but by the expertise and exceptional dedication of its cultural workers who strive to serve the communities in which they operate. In Jersey City, they would serve us—our citizens, our students, our artists.
This museum will be more than just a repository of art. It will be a place where our community can gather, learn, and grow.
It will offer programs, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions that will open doors for the youth and provide lifelong learning opportunities for all. We are not just asking for a building filled with artworks; we are demanding an institution that reflects our highest values—excellence, education, and inspiration.
To those who argue that we should focus on local investment, I say this: there is no contradiction between supporting local artists and welcoming a global institution.
The Pompidou will elevate our local arts scene by offering partnerships, collaborations, and platforms that many local artists currently lack. We cannot settle for less.
We deserve a museum that does not just meet basic needs but one that exceeds expectations and reflects the heights of human creativity.
Let’s remember that this is not just a decision about a building or a budget. It is a decision about what kind of city we want to be. Do we want to be a city that accepts mediocrity, or do we want to be a city that aspires to excellence?
The Pompidou X Jersey City offers us a chance to claim our place on the global cultural map, to be known for excellence and ambition. We cannot afford to pass it up.
Let’s seize this moment. Let’s invest in our future, in our city’s cultural identity, and in the generations to come.
Sincerely,
Raymond E. Mingst
Interdisciplinary Artist, Co-founder of Curious Matter
NJ State Council of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowship Recipient
Member, American Alliance of Museums
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