The Museum for African Art announced on Tuesday it would delay the opening of its new building at Fifth Ave. and 110th St. to late 2012. The museum was scheduled to open this September.

The museum said in a press statement that although it raised $9 million in the past three months, slower than expected fundraising was the reason for the postponement. The institution, which will be devoted to showing the art and culture of Africa and of the African Diaspora, has raised $86.3 million towards its $95 million goal.

The final stage of construction will resume once the museum has raised $92.5 million. The museum, which has received donations from the private sector as well as from the local, state and federal government, is preparing to launch the public phase of its capital campaign.