development Every Gift Counts The Museum’s ability to present consistently outstanding exhibitions, leading educational programs, and a world-class Collection of more than 30,000 works to its 400,000 annual visitors would not be possible without the generous support of its donors. All gifts—large and small—are critical to the Museum and its efforts to enrich the cultural life in the community. The Museum continues to operate without a sufficient endowment and is not eligible for support from federated fund drives such as UPAF or United Way; as such, it again relied heavily on contributed revenue for its operations in all areas in 2012–2013. The Museum’s fundraising successes in fiscal year 2013, therefore, reflect the region’s commitment to a world-class art museum for Milwaukee.
Annual Fund The Annual Fund continues to be the single largest source of funding for Museum operations. More than 22,000 supporters contributed a total of $4,728,162 to the fund this fiscal year. Led by Development Committee Chair Ellen Glaisner, a dedicated group of trustees and a committee of volunteers once again produced a successful annual campaign—even during a slowly recovering economy.
Membership Museum membership remained strong in fiscal year 2013, with over 20,000 Member households representing more than 30,000 Members. The Museum is proud to have such a committed group of supporters, whose participation and generosity are integral to the Museum and to ensuring the Museum, as a communitygathering place, remains vibrant all year long. Comprising over 30 percent of the 2012–2013 attendance, Members took full advantage of their greatest benefit—free and unlimited Museum admission. Members also enjoyed discounts in Café Calatrava and the Museum Store, on Museum classes, programs, and parking passes—and at area businesses. The Museum introduced a new benefit for Members this year, the Neighborhood Discount Program. With their membership card and a photo
ID, Members are now afforded exclusive discounts and deals at local restaurants and retail stores. In collaborating with local businesses, the Museum is not only strengthening its ties with area businesses, but also expanding the Museum Member experience. Among the highlights of the year was an opportunity in April for Members to attend a day trip to Chicago, to see the large-scale Picasso and Chicago exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago and take in an afternoon downtown. During Member appreciation month in May, the Museum treated Members to deeper discounts in Café Calatrava and the Museum Store, to exclusive curator-led tours and a one-of-a-kind lecture series with Barbara Brown Lee, and to Member Swap Day, with five area museums participating. New Members were invited to a welcome event at the Museum in October to learn more about the Museum’s Collection and programs, from Chief Curator Brady Roberts. The Museum greatly appreciates all of its Members for their support, advocacy, and commitment. Support Groups
Membership also affords Members the opportunity to join any of the nine support groups, all of which are busy throughout the year with activities related to a specific interest area within the Museum’s Collection. More than four hundred Members are involved in support groups. African American Art Alliance (founded 1990) supports educational programs centering on African American art and artists, promotes volunteer involvement in the Museum, and is dedicated to raising funds for purchasing African American art for the Museum’s Collection. American Arts Society (founded 1993) celebrates American art, antiques, and architecture from the colonial era into the twentieth century through educational programs, trips, exhibitions, and conservation efforts. The Collectors’ Corner (founded 1948) is committed to developing educational programs that promote knowledge and important scholarship in the decorative arts.
2013 annual report |
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