Museum Newsletter : Director's Note
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Director's Note - February 2012
The Danforth - Here at the Danforth, the experiences of viewing and making art are very connected—this makes us special. Baby and toddler groups meet inside our galleries. Public schools students view exhibits and then make related art projects. Adults take breaks from studio classes to be inspired in the Museum, and engage visitors in conversation. More than one person has remarked on the way out that they “have just had the most interesting conversation with an artist.” The Blumer Fund also supports the Danforth School of Art where students ages 2-92 take advantage of the 500 studio art classes we offer each year. Since 1975 we have provided quality arts education through integration exhibitions and studio art classes. Museum Education Director Pat Walker has been twice named Massachusetts Museum Educator for the Year, and Museum exhibits been cited for curatorial excellence by the International Association of Art Critics and the New England Art Awards. Please join us on Saturday, March 27th for our fifth annual Over the Moon celebration to benefit the Deborah D. Blumer Fund in support of arts education at the Danforth. This elegant evening of live music, sparkling wines and gourmet food is one of our most popular and successful events. We have already received sponsorship from Bernardi Autogroup, Bose Corporation and numerous others. Insure that the Museum will be able to continue to engage and inspire by helping to create a community where everyone can be an artist. We look forward to seeing you on March 24th! Thank you. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - January 2012
One of the best parts of a director’s job is getting to thank all those who contribute to the Danforth’s success, and I’m pleased to begin the New Year by doing just that. During the past month of December, over 200 members and friends contributed more than $65,000 to our Annual Fund. To date we have raised over $150,000 towards our annual goal of $320,000. In addition, all contributions made between December 4th, 2011 and December 15th, 2011, helped secure a $10,000 challenge pledge towards facilities needs. This was much needed, and much appreciated. We thank you. We were also pleased to receive word of a number of grants. These include $15,000 in support from the Sudbury Foundation, which will enable us to run our Teen Docent Program next summer, as well as $5,000 from Bernardi Acura of Boston and $2,500 from the 200 Hundred Foundation to further literacy efforts through our Children’s Gallery. In a few weeks we’ll open a show of original illustrations by Lydia Dabcovich for Polar Bear Son as a companion exhibit to our Native American program, and are very excited to follow with a showing of work from the Giving Tree Project, recently featured in The Boston Globe. Education is very much part of what we do here at the Danforth, and we invite you all to celebrate this at our upcoming Over the Moon educational fundraiser on Saturday, March 24. We are grateful for your support. Katherine French, Director
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Director's Note - December 2011
Celebrating a Season of Light Reflecting back on the past year, we have much to celebrate. Our exhibit The Expressive Voice portrays the growing importance of the Danforth by showcasing an unprecedented number of new works we’ve welcomed into our permanent collection—many recent gifts from collectors who support the Museum’s on-going exploration of Boston Expressionism. The school is busy registering children for our December Vacation Workshops and adults for winter classes, and an increasing number of visitors are coming to visit Museum galleries or shop our holiday ceramic sale. We have never been busier, or more optimistic about the coming year. Despite recent snow storms, a visit to the Danforth can help transcend the darkness of winter. Many works on view depict themes of light, from Karl Zerbe’s Under the Chandelier, to Henry Schwartz’s Pierrot Lunaire to Jill Weber’s original illustrations for a children’s picture bookThe Story of Hanukkah, Weber will also be on hand this Sunday, December 4 to sign books for children attending our first Sunday Drop Into Art in which the children and their families are able to create their own art. Visit the Museum this month to celebrate this season of light, a wonderful way to enjoy time with family and friends during the holidays. And finally, please ensure our ability to continue with great exhibits and programs in the coming year by making a year-end, tax deductible donation to our Annual Fund. Your gift helps provide enlightened programs that engage, inspire and transform the lives of children and adults, making us the center of a strong and growing community. Thank you and happy holidays. Katherine French, Director
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Director's Note - November 2011
During this month of Thanksgiving, we are particularly grateful to nearly 300 Museum Patrons who contributed to the success of A Matter of Taste, our annual wine tasting benefit. Thanks to their support, along with generous corporate support from Bernardi Auto Group, Eastern Bank, and numerous others, the Museum raised more than $33,000 to help fund exhibits and programs. We now look forward to our upcoming Annual Fund campaign with optimism, and thank all those who joined us last Saturday evening. |
Director's Note - October 2011
As always, we are very busy at the Danforth Museum and School of Art. Having completed a new Strategic Plan and a successful summer campaign that raised more than $45,000 in response to a $30,000 challenge gift, we approach the coming year with the kind of renewed energy and optimism that is evident to even our most casual visitor. Five new exhibits are the subject of a series of panel talks and discussions sponsored by the Foundation for Arts and Healing, and the New England Photography Biennial curated by George Slade has attracted both popular and critical attention. Our new Strategic Plan outlines a more focused integration of gallery and studio art experience, and we are confident that will take place with the hiring of new Museum Educator Kendra Keefer McGee. A former museum educator at the Amnon Carter Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art, Keefer McGee is already hard at work. During her first week on the job, she welcomed the Society of Children’s Writers and Illustrators for an October 1st workshop that featured writers Jacqueline Davies (The Lemonade War); Newbery Honor winner Kathryn Lasky; Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry (Number the Stars and The Giver); and Bill Thomson (Chalk). These renowned speakers attracted more than 95 aspiring children’s writers and illustrators, as well as teachers and librarians for a day long program that included a book signing in the Museum School, as well as a visit to Scott Magoon’s exhibit Slightly Snarky: Otherwise Different in our Children’s Gallery. Programs and studio art classes for the youngest members of the Danforth community will expand and become stronger—stay tuned for more! The new Strategic Plan has also increased our determination to resolve facilities issues, and we are in conversation with the Town of Framingham about our future in Town Owned facilities. To learn more about visionary plans to realize an environment that fosters an integrative approach to creating and experiencing art, please join us for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday evening, October 25 at 7 pm. No matter how long or short a time you have been involved at the Danforth, you will enjoy the opportunity to learn more about our confidence in the future of a museum that can truly engage, inspire and transform the lives of both children and adults. And then finally, almost immediately following the Annual Meeting, you’ll be able to celebrate at A Matter of Taste, our yearly benefit wine tasting event to be held on Saturday evening, November 5th. For some, an appreciation for art can be a matter of taste and the Danforth Museum of Art has a variety of things to offer. Enjoy some of the very best contemporary art by New England artists while sampling a selection of wines from around the world. Your support of this event helps fund new exhibits, create studio art classes, provide scholarships of deserving students and much more. For tickets and more info. We hope to see you soon. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - September 2011
We have reason to celebrate! In just one short month, 111 people contributed a total of $41, 560 to our Annual Fund. These contributions came in response to a required 1:1 match for a $30,000 pledge due before end of our fiscal year. Two days before the August 31st deadline, we still had a $5,000 gap to close, but the community rallied to help us exceed goal! Despite a hurricane that knocked out power lines and slowed mail, we raised more than $11,000 in the last few days—some of it coming within the last few hours! Contributions were at all levels, ranging from $10 to $5,000. This was one of our most successful fund drives ever and we are grateful for your support. Thank you! Because of these individual donations, as well as corporate and foundation support, we are able to approach the coming year with renewed optimism—confident in our ability to create programs that truly engage, inspire and transform the lives of children and adults. Generous sponsorship from Framingham Co-operative Bank, allows us to admit all visitors to our Fall Family Dayon Sunday,September 11th for FREE. Support from the Foundation for Art & Healing enables us to present lectures and panel discussions related to art and the healing process as a regular part of fall programming. And, on Saturday, November 5th, sponsorship from Bernardi Auto Group and numerous others brings us A Matter of Taste, our annual benefit wine tasting that is one of our most popular events. As we prepare to present our new strategic plan at the Danforth’s Annual Meeting on October 24, we want to thank you for your confidence in a museum and art school that has a clear vision for the future. Art not only helps stimulate the economy, it also helps us grow as a culture. Become inspired by all that we do here at the Danforth and please come to see us soon. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - July 2011
Provocative and Dazzling However, the Danforth is more than a showcase. Research tells us that one third of our members are working artists, a lively, active group of individuals who can be found both in the Museum School and the Museum itself. Casual visitors to our galleries have often remarked that they “have just had the most interesting conversation with an artist,” conversations that expand and enrich their experience of looking at art. Artists make our world a more interesting place, and they play a vital role at the Danforth. Given rapid economic change that has necessitated the closing of galleries and many nonprofit arts organizations, it is essential that we find creative ways to support these talented members of our community—and we do. First, become a member, renew or join to see these “provocative and often dazzling shows” before they end on August 7. Secondly, purchase work from Off the Wall, Community of Artists, and Picture This!—a purchase supports both the artist and the Museum. Finally, make a donation to our Annual Fund to support our ability to host these outstanding exhibitions, as well as fund innovative programs like Adria Arch’s mural project for Teen Docents this summer. As always, we are grateful for your support and hope to see you soon. All best, Katherine French, Director Related Media At the Danforth: Annual Juried Art Show |
Director's Note - June 2011
Summer marks a time of increased activity with a series of exhibitions that have proved our most successful to date. Nearly 500 talented member artists entered work for review and a total of 267 were selected for exhibition in Off the Wall, Community of Artists and Picture This! Thanks to Bernardi Auto Group, Fletcher Tilton PC and numerous individual supporters, we recently welcomed nearly 600 artists, curators and collectors for a special Patron’s Preview on Saturday, June 11. A total of eleven works were sold that evening, and many more are under consideration. This overwhelming response is reflective of the art community’s high regard for selections made by Worcester Art Museum’s Susan Stoops and Susan Sherman of Charlesbridge Publishing who served as jurors—and for the Danforth Museum of Art’s ability to showcase some of the most exciting work being produced today. The Museum’s continued commitment to the region will also be apparent in upcoming New England Photography Biennial, which will be juried by the Photographic Resource Center’s George Slade, and scheduled to open in September. While many museums are choosing to pursue a global focus, the Danforth Museum of Art maintains a local approach—discovering works for juried shows that are rich, complex and completely unique. Recent marketing studies reveal that more than one third of current members define themselves as artists, demonstrating that we not only cultivate an audience engaged by looking at art. We also cultivate an audience engaged in making art. Whether you are an artist or an art lover, please visit our juried shows over the summer to become part of a dynamic conversation that will enrich your immediate experience of the world. We look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director Related Media Download Off the Wall Exhibition Catalog (PDF) |
Director's Note - May 2011
Celebrate Museum Membership Month May is Museum Membership Month and we are pleased by the growing number of new members who have made the Danforth one of the fastest growing museums in New England. In this past year, 651 new members joined 944 renewing members for critically acclaimed exhibits and programs that invite visitors to become actively involved. The idea of active involvement has been a key part of our strategic planning in the past year. Museum Trustees recognize our unique position as a leader in education that encourages communities to experience, create and celebrate art for themselves. Students in our Museum School make art. Participants in our tours ask questions that become answers under the guidance of docents specially trained in VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies). Museum educators collaborate with classroom teachers to create curriculum for the Meta Fuller Program. In fact, Danforth volunteers have become active at every level of the Museum experience—from visitor services to governance. Whether staffing an event or serving as a Trustee, members of the Danforth are actively involved in helping the Museum to succeed. There has never been a better time to become a member of the Museum. Art changes lives. It sustains human activity and helps us grow as a culture. Join the growing number of new and renewing members who support the Danforth through its membership. We look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, |
Director's Note - April 2011
Transforming Lives at the Danforth We are thrilled at the response to our March 26th Over the Moon Fundraiser, which raised more than $30,000 for the Deborah D. Blumer Fund in support of educational programming at the Museum. Honoring the memory of one of our community’s most energetic arts supporters, the Blumer Fund most recently helped the Danforth meet a required matching grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to fund an exhibition of original watercolors by children’s book illustrator Adam Gustavson, as well as special school vacation workshops focused on his book The Yankee at the Seder. This kind of educational program is central to what we do here at the Danforth, and will determine our future as a nationally recognized leader among community museums and art education centers. During our current strategic planning process, both Trustees and staff articulated a vision for an institution that will engage, inspire and transform the lives of children and adults. However, we cannot do this without resources and support, and we therefore find recent developments in Washington and on Beacon Hill troubling. Last week’s federal budget agreement reduced budgets of the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities by $12.5 million each—both of which have made grants to the Danforth in the past year. Here in Massachusetts, the House Ways & Means Committee has proposed an 18% budget cut to the state budget for the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), which has also granted significant funding to the Danforth. There is the possibility that some grant programs may be eliminated altogether, but we remain committed to a future that includes education. If you believe that art has the ability to transform lives, we urge you to contact your representatives on Capitol Hill or in the Massachusetts legislature. If you have been inspired by a Danforth exhibit, or engaged by one of our studio classes, please consider making a contribution that will help us continue. Make a donation today. We are very grateful for your support. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director Related Media Learn more at the MCC's Advocacy Action Center to help stop the cuts to arts and cultural funding. |
Director's Note - March 2011
The Danforth …I’ve found a home in a community museum that is in no way elite… I find real satisfaction in knowing that I’ve helped create a place for artists to exist… Subscribers to Art New England may have already read this recent profile from the March/April issue but I would like to take this opportunity to share it as a reflection of core values that have existed at the Danforth since the beginning—a belief that art is an essential part of the human experience and that training in the visual arts should be fundamental. Education is central to all that we do. Over the past three years, we have been fortunate to receive three grants from the National Endowment for the Arts to support educational programming. However, expected congressional budget cuts will present grave challenges to our continued ability to provide the kind of programming that makes the Danforth Museum and School of Art unique. We must work harder than ever and can not do this without your help. Please consider participating in our fourth annual Over the Moon Fundraiser to benefit the Deborah D. Blumer Fund in support of arts education at the Danforth. This evening of live music and sparkling wines and gourmet hors d’oeuvres catered by Different Tastes Catering, has been supported by Bernardi Autogroup, Bose Corporation, Bank of America, and Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, and numerous other corporate and individual sponsors. Join them in helping to insure that the Museum will be able to continue to engage and inspire. Help to create a community where everyone can be an artist, and a place for artists to exist. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - February 2011
Two important milestones were reached during this past month. On January 25th, the Board of Trustees approved new Mission and Vision statements that recognized the Museum and Museum School as equal partners. And then, on January 31st, the Museum submitted our response to the Town of Framingham’s Request for Proposals (RFP) for long-term lease of the Danforth Building. Engage, inspire and transform—those are lofty ambitions, but art has that power. It not only sustains, but also defines our culture. It can renew and inspire—and provide the catalyst for great change. In order to fulfill this mission and achieve its vision as a nationally recognized leader among community museums and art education centers, the Danforth seeks to work with the Town to become the long-term steward for the Danforth Building. It’s too early to comment on specific details. These will be worked out in negotiations, but it is safe to say that we look forward to a partnership that will make it possible to address the needs of a culturally significant, architecturally important building at the heart of Metrowest. And, the kind of collaboration necessary to achieve this goal is central to what we do. As a community museum and art center, we are comprised of many communities—of artists and art lovers, of students and educators, and from towns and cities from throughout New England. Collaboration builds and sustains these communities. In the immediate future, we look forward to collaborating with the Boston Printmakers on their 2011 Biennial exhibition juried by renowned artist Jim Dine. On March 1, we again work with the Framingham Library on their Framingham Reads Together initiative with the opening of original watercolor illustrations for Claire Nivola’s Civil War themed children’s book The Silent Witness in our Children’s Gallery. And our collaboration with Framingham Public School teachers on the Meta Warrick Fuller Program continues—thanks to support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Sudbury Foundation and recent contributors to our Annual Fund. Visit the Museum often and become part of our community. Become engaged in what we do, inspired by what you see, and transformed by what you experience. We look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - January 2011
Up to the Challenge Thank you! I can’t say how pleased I am to begin the New Year by thanking all those who recently contributed to our Annual Fund—proving once again that members and friends are up to the challenge of helping the Danforth Museum of Art become one of the most respected cultural institutions in New England. During the month of December, 227 members and friends donated more than $95,000, which not only put us closer to our Annual Fund goal of $100,000, but also helped meet a required cash match for nearly $50,000 in grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. Because of your support, Museum educators will continue work with area teachers to create a school curriculum based on our collection of work by African American sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller. We will also collaborate with the Framingham Public Library to host exhibitions by renowned children’s book illustrators as part of their Framingham Reads Together initiative. Grants from the Foundation for Metrowest, the Framingham Cultural Council, the 200 Foundation and Acura of Boston will provide for increased access—making a real difference in our ability to transform the lives of both children and adults in our community. We are in a strong position as we enter into conversations with the Town of Framingham for a long-term lease, but could not have done this without your help. If you have not yet had an opportunity to contribute, please consider joining others who believe in the power of arts and culture by making a donation to our Annual Fund. We are profoundly grateful for your support. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - December 2010
Where Something Special Happens Those closely involved with the Museum already know about our high quality exhibits and educational programming, but two recent government grants publicly recognize the great work that we do. In the past month we’ve received $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to support collaboration with the Library’s Framingham Reads Initiative and a $6,000 preservation grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to help assess our permanent collection of more than 3,500 art objects. Smaller grants from the Framingham Cultural Council, the Foundation for Metrowest and the 200 Foundation will support art making activities for children, and thanks to a recently released film, our Museum School is busily registering children for December School Vacation Workshops. A recent review in the Boston Globe has brought an increasing number of visitors into our galleries, and to shop at our Holiday Sale. We have never been busier—or more productive. Our Strategic Planning and Facilities Committees are working right up to the holidays, first on a strategic plan that will chart our course over the next three years, and then on a response to an a request for proposals (RFP) for the Danforth Building. This RFP is due December 27, and it is our hope to begin negotiations for a long-term lease with the Town of Framingham soon afterwards. A building feasibility study completed by Ann Beha Architects last year has provided many insights for how we might upgrade and renovate our aging facility. This will not be simple or easy (read recent article), but we are optimistic about how we might work together with the Town to realize our ambitious goals. We look forward to the day when our physical space can match the great programs going on inside. However, we can do none of this without your help. Please take this opportunity to make a tax-deductible contribution to our Annual Appeal, which will help meet required cash matches for several recent grants. Because of past support from people like your selves, we have been to accomplish much since our founding in 1975. Sustain your love of art, and join with us to celebrating our 35th Anniversary. We hope to see you in the Museum soon! Katherine French, Director Related Media "Danforth, Framingham Historical Society among federal grant recipients" "Danforth Museum looks to Framingham to help with building repairs" |
Director's Note - November 2010
Dear Danforth Museum of Art Community, This month we would like to extend special thanks to the nearly 350 people who attended the Museum’s A Matter of Taste, a benefit wine tasting which raised nearly $17,000 in support of exhibitions and programming. Through a mix of art and social engagement, we become less isolated—and meaningfully engaged by the opportunity to share an experience. Over the next few months, we will be seeking to share and exchange many thoughts and experiences with the community. As you know from previous e-newsletters and communications, the Museum has embarked upon an ambitious strategic planning initiative to chart our direction for the future. We are very excited to be working with consultants Amy Cahners and Susan Donahue, and are would like to introduce Trustee Robert Martin as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee who will be communicating with you over the next few months. Until recently, Robert Martin served as the vice president for academic affairs at Framingham State University and has served as FSU’s representative to the Danforth Museum of Art’s Board of Trustees for over four years. He comes to us as a skilled administrator with much experience in strategic planning, and will be a valuable asset as we seek to identify the directions and priorities for the Museum’s future priorities and direction—and strategies to achieve our goals and realize a future that will ensure lasting success. Many of you have already contributed by involvement with various on-line surveys and focus groups, and we look forward to your future input. Please read the following letter from Robert Martin carefully, and look for future correspondence from him in our monthly newsletters. Finally, we offer our profound thanks for your past support and invite your continued engagement. As we near the end of 2010, we ask that you please consider a year end, tax deductible contribution to our Annual Fund. Donations play a vital role in our ability to present outstanding exhibitions and educational programs that celebrate art and the creation of art. We are extremely grateful for whatever you can do to help and look forward to seeing you at the Museum soon. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director Related Media |
Director's Note - October 2010
As always, we are very busy at the Danforth Museum of Art and Museum School. Trustees and Overseers are now in the middle of a strategic planning process and we are busily preparing our response to the Town of Framingham’s much anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Danforth Building. New banners have been installed just outside the front doors, an outward display of the Museum’s celebration of art and the creation of art. And, we are very excited about our upcoming Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 28 at 7 pm, when we will premier a new short film entitled Where Something Special Happens. All are welcome to attend. The wonderful five minute film, Where Something Special Happens, produced by the Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts, portrays a typical day during which our Teen Docents lead young Museum School students through exhibitions and talk about their experience in this innovative program. Of course, as stars of the film, these talented young people will be on hand to give tours at the end of the evening. No matter how short or long a time you have been involved with the Danforth, this will be a wonderful way to celebrate the kind of educational programming that has received so much attention. View recent article in the MetroWest Daily News. Finally, we would like to remind you about our upcoming benefit wine tasting A Matter of Taste on Saturday,November 6, from 7pm to 10pm. Like wine, an appreciation for art is a matter of taste and the Danforth Museum of Art always has a variety of things to offer. Please come to enjoy different kinds of art while sampling a selection of wines from around the world, as well as gourmet foods and desserts. This is one of our most celebrated events, and tickets can be purchased online or by calling 508.620.0050 x 14. Proceeds support programming and the mission of the Museum and Museum School. Help us celebrate our 35th Anniversary Year. We look forward to seeing you soon. Katherine French, Director Related Media |
Director's Note - September 2010
Life is busy here at the Danforth Museum of Art. Classes have begun in the Museum School, and students are pleased to take note of freshly painted rooms as well as other facilities upgrades made over the summer. In the Museum, attendance has continued to rise, particularly on the first weekend each month when we welcome visitors as part of the Bank of America’s Museum’s on Us™ program. In addition to this important support to promote access, Bank of America recently awarded the Danforth Museum of Art a 60K grant, 20K per year over three year's time. This kind of corporate sponsorship is vital, and greatly contributes to our ability to make plans for the future. Planning for the future will very much be part of our lives in the coming year. Last week Museum Trustees met with consultants Amy Cahners and Susan Donahue, who are helping the Board to facilitate a strategic planning process. At the same time, we will plan to respond to an RFP (request for proposals) from the Town of Framingham for the Danforth Building. This important step will bring us closer to securing a long term lease, helping us realize a physical space that matches the excellence of our exhibition and educational programming. We envision a bright future for the Museum, and hope we will have occasion to celebrate in the coming year. And, speaking of celebrations, we are pleased to invite you all to attend A Matter of Taste, our wonderful annual wine tasting benefit event, scheduled for Saturday evening, November 6th, 2010. This is one of our most popular fundraisers, and particularly important as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary Year. Sponsored by Bernardi Auto Group, Fletcher Tilton & Whipple, P.C. and numerous others, A Matter of Taste attracts nearly 400 patrons each year for an elegant evening of delicious food and wine. Please plan to attend. Early purchase of tickets assures you a place at an event where there will truly be something for everyone. Tickets are now available for purchase online. Katherine French, Director Related Media |
Director's Note - Summer 2010
Those of you acquainted with the Museum know our aging facility presents many challenges. While the Danforth Museum of Art and Museum School is pleased to be celebrating its 35th Anniversary in the historic Danforth Building, we know major renovations will be required. Museum Trustees are working hard to ensure our continued presence in downtown Framingham. Thanks to a Cultural Facilities Fund grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Ann Beha Architects has completed a design feasibility study on the Danforth Building, and we are excited to be presenting these findings to the Framingham Board of Selectmen on Tuesday evening, August 24th. Ann Beha Architects is an award winning architectural firm, well known for work with cultural organizations housed in older buildings, and Architect Steve Gerrard will put forward a number of possible solutions. Museum Trustees and staff will be on hand to provide other information, respectfully proposing the Town and the Museum enter negotiations for a long term lease and begin a partnership that will help us preserve the 100 year old Danforth Building. As many of you have told us repeatedly, the Danforth Museum and Museum School is a wonderful place, full of lively educational activities for people of all ages. We are an institution with an interesting and vibrant past. It is our sincere hope that this upcoming presentation will provide the basis for a bright future. Please join us by tuning in to local cable television networks at 7 pm on Tuesday, August 24 to watch live on the Framingham Government Channel (Comcast Channel 10, RCN Channel 13 or Verizon Channel 42). Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - June 2010
Summer has always marked a time of increased activity, a time when it is most evident that the Museum is truly part of a thriving community. Students and teachers from the Danforth Museum School are now in the galleries with their drawing pads, ready to be inspired by the art work on display. Our Museum education staff continues to meet with public school teachers throughout the summer to build curriculum based on our Museum collection, and our summer interns have begun projects that will support their studies once they return to college. Increasing numbers of visitors arrive to see Off the Wall and Community of Artists, two juried exhibitions of work by member artists selected by MFA curator Jen Mergel and ICA curator Helen Molesworth. The work on display is outstanding, a sure sign that the Danforth Museum of Art is a venue for not only historically important exhibits, but also for new and exciting art. There is growing support for our exhibitions, as well as our educational initiatives. Over 200 curators, artists and patrons attended our Off the Wall Patron’s Preview Event, which benefited Museum exhibits and programming, and more than 550 artists and friends gathered to celebrate the opening reception a few days later. And, on Tuesday, June 15, more than 60 corporate supporters gathered for the Annual Corporate Breakfast in Museum galleries to hear speakers Senator Karen Spilka, Bank of America’s Alisha Verity and Massachusetts Cultural Council Director Anita Walker address the need for continued strong relationships between the business and the arts communities. Corporate support for the Danforth Museum is strong. Each year the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center supplies an elegant breakfast for our Annual Corporate Breakfast; Bank of America’s Museums on Us™ program continues to offer free admission for bank customers; The TJX Charitable Foundation provides scholarships for deserving students in our Museum School; Bernardi Auto Group, Bose Corporation and numerous other companies offer a wide variety of program support that helps us achieve our mission to celebrate art and the creation of art. The Museum is proud to partner with these important businesses. Without their help, we could not possibly achieve all that we do to promote arts education and cultural programming. Because of this engagement and support, our community grows each day and we are exceedingly grateful. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - May 2010
Celebrate Museum Members' Month May is Museum Members' Month, as well as a month that encourages us to consider new growth. Once again the Museum has been selected for participation in Bank of America’s Museums on Us Program TM, which ensures an increasing number of new visitors. Thanks to funding support from the National Endowment for the Arts and Bernardi Acura of Boston, more than 600 children and adults participated in programs and activities surrounding the exhibition Giles Laroche: Bridge Across Cultures, The World at My Fingertips. And more than 400 member artists submitted work for our upcoming Off the Wall and Community of Artists juried exhibitions. Our challenge now is to create a facility that matches the quality of what we do at the Museum. On May 5th we met with Town officials about a lease and our facilities committee has begun making plans for repairs to the Danforth Building. The Museum has a bright future and we ask that you join others who believe in that future by contributing to our Annual Fund, or simply increasing your membership level to enjoy new membership benefits. During the June 2010, all members of the Danforth Museum of Art will receive free admission to all of Historic New England’s 36 cultural sites. And, at the Friend level, members will receive admission and discounts to nearly 400 museums across the North America—not just during the month of June, but into the future. Become a Friend of the Danforth Museum of Art and expand your sense of community by connecting to other museums. There has never been a better time to be a member, and we look forward to seeing you soon. |
Director's Note - April 2010
The Danforth Museum of Art continually seeks to offer more, and we are thrilled at the response to our March 27th Over the Moon Fundraiser that raised more than $36,000 net for the Deborah D. Blumer Fund in support of educational programming here at the Museum. Thanks to overwhelming support for an event that honors the memory of one of our community’s most energetic and committed arts supporters, we have been able to meet a required match for two separate grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. This funding helps continue offering workshops, tours and classes tied to our outstanding exhibits. Now we will be able to do even more. This year’s support from the National Endowment for the Arts allowed for special visits and workshops by children’s book illustrator Giles Laroche, as well as initiated a two-year collaboration with the Framingham Public Schools to create a curriculum based on the Museum’s permanent collection of work by renowned African American sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller. Our work with Fuller has attracted growing attention, and was partly responsible for helping us to secure the loan of an important exhibition from Babcock Galleries in New York. On view at the Danforth Museum of Art until May 30, African Americans: Seeing and Seen, 1766-1916 provides a historical context for our consideration of Meta Fuller in the current exhibition Meta Warrick Fuller: From the Studio. Seen together, these two exhibitions allow us to more fully understand Fuller—a woman who was well aware of her own heritage, both as an African American and as an artist. Please join us and specially invited guests for a special reception celebrating this work on Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - March 2010
Here at the Danforth Museum of Art we continue to celebrate our 35th Anniversary Year with a very special Over the Moon fundraiser to benefit the Deborah D. Blumer Fund. Established in 2006 to honor the memory of one of our community’s most energetic arts supporters, the Blumer Fund supports arts educational exhibitions and programming in both the Museum and Museum School through programs like Art Tells a Story and the creation of our Goodnight Moon Reading Area. Please join us on Saturday, March 27th from 8-10 p.m. for an elegant evening of live music, sparkling wines and fine desserts. This year the Blumer Fund will help provide a required match for two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. The first NEA grant supports the Meta Fuller Program, a collaboration with area public schools to create a curriculum, tours and arts activities based on the Museum’s collection of work by 20th century African American Sculptor and Framingham resident, Meta Warrick Fuller. The second NEA grant supports Bridge Across Cultures, The World at My Fingertips, an exhibit of work by renowned children’s book illustrator Giles Laroche who will conduct a special workshop during April School Vacation Week and come for a book signing on May 2 at 1:30 p.m. This kind of programming benefits all members of our community—from the very youngest children enrolled in our baby and toddler group to senior adults taking classes in painting or drawing. Since 1975 we have provided quality arts education and look forward to another 35 years here in the Danforth Building. Please join us for Over the Moon on Saturday, March 27th and support a Museum named Outstanding Cultural Organization by the Massachusetts Arts Education Association. Museum Education Director Pat Walker has been twice named Museum Educator for the Year by the state of Massachusetts, and we have been cited for curatorial excellence by the International Association of Art Critics and the New England Art Awards. Education is central to all that we do here at the Museum, and we so appreciate your support. Thank you. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - February 2010
Museums Make Economic Sense How does the Danforth Museum of Art help support the economy in Massachusetts? Thanks to a study conducted by Carlisle & Company and funded by the Sudbury Foundation, arts and cultural organizations located in Framingham know exactly what kind of economic impact we have on the community. The Danforth Museum of Art, together with the Amazing Things Arts Center, the Framingham History Center, the Framingham Public Library, the New England Wildflower Society’s Garden in the Woods and the Performing Arts Center of Metrowest, help to contribute to a nearly two billion dollar cultural tourism industry. We might be small, but we have significant impact. Since 2004 all six organizations have collaborated as part of the START Framingham Partnership to promote community. Together we have a combined current operating budget of $6.3 million, yet provide nearly double the economic value of $11.4 million annually. Looking forward, we anticipate a combined economic impact of $126.8 million within the next 10 years as staffing and operating budgets increase. And, since many of us are currently renovating our facilities or expect to do so shortly—we conservatively expect to seek more than $20 million in capital investments, increasing the number of jobs by 27% and our economic impact by $36 million. Clearly, capital investment in Framingham’s arts and cultural organizations will offer impressive returns. Thanks to a Cultural Facilities grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Museum was able to complete a feasibility study for the Danforth Building and now seeks to negotiate a long term lease with the Town of Framingham. We are already known for outstanding exhibitions and educational programming. Now celebrating the start of its 35th Anniversary Year, the Museum looks forward to making improvements that will create a facility that is equally worthy. Our efforts will not only create a safe, aesthetically pleasing environment for visitors and students. They will also support the economy at a time when it is vital to do so. Please consider supporting the Museum in its efforts by making a contribution to our Annual Fund. Katherine French, Director Related Media START Economic Impact Study (PDF) Study says investment in local arts organizations pays off Framingham START Partnership Says Investment Will Pay Off |
Director's Note - January 2010
Celebrate 35 Years! Great things are happening at the Danforth Museum of Art, and we are pleased to begin our 35th Anniversary Year by thanking those who help contribute to our success. During the month of December, members and friends contributed more than $50,000 to the Annual Fund, which puts us closer to fundraising goal of $100,000 for the year. The Sudbury Foundation recently donated $20,000—$10,000 per year over the next two years—to support a $20,000 matching grant from National Endowment for the Arts for collaboration with the public schools. Because of this funding, Museum educators will work with area teachers to create a school curriculum based on the Museum’s collection of work by African American sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller, firmly establishing The Meta Fuller Program. And in response to a second $10,000 matching grant from the NEA, Acura of Boston has donated $5,000 towards Bridge Across Cultures, a celebration of diversity through an exhibition and related arts programming based on the work of renowned children’s book illustrator Giles Laroche. Children’s programming will greatly benefit thanks to a $2,000 gift from The 200 Foundation in support of Art Tells A Story, an arts and literacy based program for preschool Head Start students. And once again scholarships are available to Museum School students thanks to a $20,000 grant from the TJX Charitable Foundation for the Museum School’s Scholarship and Visiting Artist Program. The Museum has also attracted the engagement and support of several groups working to support non profits. Last year we worked with a group of alumni from the Harvard Business School, who helped with strategic financial planning related to facilities issues as part of their Community Action Partners (CAP) Program. This year we will work with Community Consulting Teams (CCT), a volunteer group of MBA alumni from top ranked business schools across the country to create a strategic marketing plan for the Museum School. During times of economic uncertainty, art and culture sustains us. Foundations, corporate supporters and, most importantly, individuals have chosen to support the Museum. Join others who believe that art truly adds to our lives in an important way, and invest in your community. We need art more than ever right now, and your support is vital. Thank you! Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - December 2009
2009 Year in Review Support the Museum during an important year. During 2009, an increasing number of visitors made their way to our Framingham location, and we experienced the highest attendance ever. Marketing and building feasibility studies funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council helped support a renewed commitment to the Danforth Building. Museum membership and Museum School enrollment continued to grow, and we have received two significant grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. These NEA grants recognize the excellent quality of our educational programming. In April we received $20,000, which will fund collaboration with the Framingham Public Schools to develop a curriculum based on our collection of work by the African American sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller. This past fall we received $10,000 to support the exhibit The World at my Fingertips by children’s book illustrator Giles Laroche, as well as related art workshops for low income children. The Danforth Museum of Art lies at the center of a richly diverse community, However, we can only realize these projects with your help. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your past support, and invite you to join with us to celebrating the year to come. We hope you are able to visit to the Museum often! Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - November 2009
Giving Thanks During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are especially grateful to our corporate sponsors and the nearly 300 attendees of the Museum’s benefit event, A Matter of Taste, which raised close to $15,000 in support of exhibitions and programming. For many, this annual fundraising event is a perfect introduction to the Danforth Museum of Art. Visitors are able to see outstanding exhibitions of contemporary artwork, as well as selections from our permanent collection, while sampling select wines from around the world. Whether comparing 19th century painting to 20th century installation, or chardonnay to merlot, this event reminds us that an individual's response is always personal. The sampling of wines perfectly illustrates that there is no one correct response in visiting the Museum. As with so much else, art is a matter of taste and our mix of exhibitions always has much to offer. On November 21st, we were pleased to open four new exhibitions that celebrate the heritage of Boston Expressionism. David Aronson: The Paradox (1941-1964), and Gerry Bergstein: Effort at Speech (1980-2009), are significant survey exhibitions allowing us to view artistic development over a period of time. Henry Schwartz, The Eternal Footman and Morgan Bulkeley: Who’s the Daddy? explore the effects of culture on the individual. Although each exhibition is different, all are linked. Seen together, these new exhibits consider the rich history of painting in our region—a history that is both important and unique. We have been thankful for the growing interest in Museum exhibitions that showcase regional artists. However, we need help in order to continue doing so. Please take this opportunity to support our efforts with a year end, tax deductible donation to our Annual Fund. We hope that you are able to visit the Museum soon, and many times throughout the coming year. Thank you. |
Director's Note - October 2009
The Economic Picture It’s been over a year since troubling events shook confidence in the economy. Like many other museum directors in the last year, I’ve become increasingly focused on the financial picture. However, I’m happy to report fiscal success as we approach our October 27th Annual Meeting. Despite the challenges of an uncertain economy, we look forward with renewed optimism. We have many reasons to celebrate. In the past, the Museum's lack of endowment seemed like bad news. However, unlike other larger institutions we did not lose money this year. We worked hard and succeeded in raising the funds necessary to meet our 1.4 million dollar annual operating budget. We’re used to taking a fiscally conservative approach to spending. Over the past twelve months, concentration on Museum finances has yielded remarkable results. At the end of fiscal year, the Museum had a small surplus. Museum membership and attendance rose, with a $6,000 increase in attendance revenue for January 2009 when compared to the same month of the previous year. Private collectors made significant donations of art to the Museum’s permanent collection, and donations grew over 10%. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone whose support has allowed the Museum to realize growth during a time of economic turmoil. We are heartened by this show of consumer confidence in the Museum as a cultural resource. However, we would also like to state a need for continued support—support that builds for the future. Please consider making a tax deductible donation to the Danforth Museum and Museum School. Your support not only helps the Museum, but also helps foster arts within the community. Art sustains us. It defines who we are as individuals, and who we are as a culture. Art renews and inspires, and this past year that has become needed more than ever. There has never been a better time to become engaged by a museum, and the Danforth Museum of Art is one of the best. Please make plans to visit us soon. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - September 2009
Remembering Hyman Bloom It is with deep sadness that I note the passing of Hyman Bloom, a brilliant painter whose complex visions were featured in the Danforth Museum of Art’s 2006 exhibition A Spiritual Embrace. Over the past year, I had been working with the artist to reorganize this show for travel, and had just received word that work had arrived safely at the Yeshiva Museum when learning of his death. The New York City reopening of A Spiritual Embrace on September 14 will serve as a poignant reminder of Bloom’s greatness as a painter. Without him, our view of the world would be vastly different. Over the course of a long career spanning more than eight decades, Bloom created stunning works that shaped the course of American art—remarkable when considering that he began life in pre-revolutionary Russia before immigrating to the United States. He took drawing classes in West End settlement houses of Boston before finishing studies at the MFA and Harvard, and struggled as a Works Progress Administration artist during the Depression before exhibiting in a prestigious show at the Museum of Modern Art in 1942. Together with friend and fellow artist Jack Levine, he defined post war painting in America. He was greatly admired by Willem de Kooning, who later said that he and Jackson Pollock considered Hyman Bloom to be “the first Abstract Expressionist in America.” It’s ironic that Bloom’s insistence on working representationally caused him to be eclipsed by the rise of abstraction. But this eclipse was temporary. Painters, usually more intelligent than critics, were profoundly inspired by Bloom and maintained strong interest in his work. In recent years, he received increased critical attention, and I am not alone in believing Hyman Bloom to be one of the most important painters of the 20th century. Bloom believed in the power of art to triumph over death, a power derived from his spiritual embrace of memory and imagination. When someone asked how long I had known the artist, and I was surprised to consider it had been little more than five years. Yet, as a person interested in how we visualize human experience, I’ve been acquainted with him for some time. And, like many others, I will continue to know him for some time to come. Katherine French, Director Related Materials Hyman Bloom, 96; painted works of grisly Expressionism Hyman Bloom (film trailer, run time 7min16sec) Hyman Bloom Exhibition at Yeshiva University |
Director's Note - Summer 2009
Museum Commits to Framingham It’s been a challenging year, and the Danforth Museum of Art found itself in good company with other non profits forced to navigate difficult waters. This was made clear when I attended a special seminar at the Harvard Business School in July. Thanks to a scholarship from the Harvard Business Alumni Association, I joined more than 180 other non profit leaders for a week long program entitled Strategic Perspectives for Non Profit Management run by Harvard’s Social Enterprise Initiative. This unique opportunity brought together individuals from all over the world—directors of such diverse organizations as Engineers Without Borders; the Flying Doctors of Australia; Both the British and Scottish Libraries; as well as many different chapters of the Nature Conservancy; Big Brother, Big Sister; and Habitats for Humanity. During this intense, challenging and ultimately invigorating seminar, I was able to step beyond day to day concerns of running the Museum and consider larger strategic issues, as well as the future of the Museum itself. The seminar could not have come at a better time. Recent votes by the Museum Trustees demonstrate a clear commitment to remain in our current location. As a result of building feasibility and marketing studies, and some comparative bench marking and strategic planning, Trustees concluded our June meeting in votes to pursue a long term lease with the Town of Framingham and begin renovation of the Danforth Building. As many of you know, these historic votes mark only the beginning of work needed to realize our goal of a beautifully renovated Museum in the heart of Framingham. Our aging facility presents numerous challenges, but we are confident of success. Despite a troubled economy, the Museum has grown during a year when we might have considered ourselves lucky to hold steady. A clear sense of mission, as well as outstanding exhibitions and educational programming, has resulted in increased attendance for the Museum and growing enrollment in the Museum School. We have the potential for a bright future. As a non profit, we have the opportunity to make a real difference. Here at the Danforth Museum of Art, we strive not only to run an efficient and cost effective organization. We also work to provide social value. Art has the power to transform lives. It can alter the way we see the world, and help us to envision a future filled with great promise. Please join me in helping to realize that future. There has never been a better time to become involved. Sincerely, Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - June 2009
Summer has always marked a time of increased activity at the Museum, and this year promises to be no different. On Saturday, May 30th, 150 artists and patrons attended our Off the Wall Patron’s Benefit Event, which raised nearly $15,000 in support of Museum exhibits and programming, and on Wednesday, June 3, more than 375 came to celebrate the opening of what has been recognized as an outstanding showcase for both established and emerging artists. Recent reviews have praised work juried by Carroll and Sons Director Joseph Carroll and Mass College of Art Curator Lisa Tung (see review). It is significant that so many artists and curators have become engaged in the Museum over these past four years, a sign that the Danforth Museum of Art is a venue for not only for historically important exhibits, but also for new and exciting art. Our continued commitment to the region will also be apparent in the New England Photography Biennial, recently juried by former Art New England editor Barbara O’Brien and PEM Curator of Photography Philip Prodger, and scheduled to open this September. While many museums are choosing to pursue a national or global focus, the Danforth Museum of Art recognizes what can happen in the immediate neighborhood. On June 1, the Danforth Museum of Art began a collaboration with the New England Wild Flower Society for the Artist Pass Program that will allow artists to work from nature at the NEWFS’s Garden in the Woods in Framingham, as well as sign up for special master classes through the Danforth Museum School with such renowned artists as Jane Goldman, Jon Imber, Ilana Manolson, and George Nick. We anticipate that some of the work produced in the program will eventually find its way into a future Museum exhibition—proving that we need look no further than our own back yard to discover some of the very best contemporary work available anywhere. These new master classes are a natural outgrowth of the programming already available in the Danforth Museum School—programming that is partially responsible for the rich variety of art currently being produced in the New England area. Education Director Pat Walker, twice named Museum Educator of the Year for the state of Massachusetts, has steadily introduced new educational opportunities. In addition to our regular adult and children’s classes, we offer high school portfolio classes and professional development for teachers that train successive generations of artists. Education has always been central to what we do here at the Museum, and a recent $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts recognizes our success in this area. Here at the Danforth Museum of Art, we not only cultivate an audience that is engaged in looking at art. We also cultivate an audience that is engaged in making art. Please join us, and become part of a dynamic conversation that will enrich your life in unexpected ways. We look forward to seeing you soon. |
Director's Note - May 2009
May is Museum Membership Month, as well as a month that encourages us to consider new growth. Once again the Danforth Museum of Art has been selected for participation in Bank of America's Museums on Us™ Program, which ensures an increasing number of new visitors. Partnerships with Framingham State College and the Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN) continue. Finally, we are very excited by news of a $20,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which will fund collaboration between the Museum and the Framingham Public Schools to develop a curriculum based on our collection of work by the African American sculptor Meta Warrick Fuller. Despite a troubled economy, the Museum continues to thrive.... Our challenge now is to create a facility that matches the quality of what we do at the Museum. Last year’s grant from the MCC’s Cultural Facilities Fund helped realize a building feasibility study with Ann Beha Architects, as well as a marketing study with Schueble Communications. A team from the Harvard Business School Alumni Association’s Community Action Program (CAP) recently completed work on a strategic plan, and a team of Harvard Business School graduate students will soon present a benchmarking study. All provide the basis of conversations we’ve begun with the Town of Framingham about the future of the Danforth Building—and the future of the Museum. What has become increasingly clear is that the Museum has a bright future. Like all cultural organizations we are struggling in the face of diminished corporate and foundation support, but unlike other museums we have not made staff reductions. To do so, would be to create a mini recession of our own. Instead, the Danforth Museum of Art has maintained steady growth during a time of uncertainty—truly making us “the little economic engine that could.” However, we need your help in order to continue. During the month of April, Museum Trustees and Overseers raised more than $27,000 to help keep staff in place. We are now asking friends and members to make a similar investment to ensure that we continue to make art part of your life. Please join others who believe that we need the arts now more than ever. Become a member or increase your membership level. Attend the Off the Wall Benefit on Saturday, May 30th. Make a contribution to our Annual Fund. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - April 2009
Has the Museum added value to your life? Like many directors of non profits, I have learned a great deal from the events of the past months. Newspaper reports only confirm what I have learned from experience. Despite growing critical recognition and steady enrollment in the Museum School, the Museum has seen a drop in foundation and corporate support. The sobering reality of our current economic climate has encouraged us to reduce expenses, while continuing to offer real value through outstanding exhibitions and educational programs. To do otherwise would be to create a small recession of our own. Preliminary results from our focus groups and online survey tell us how much you appreciate what the Museum offers, as well as museum staff that make it possible. The people who work at the Museum and Museum School are not only friendly, helpful and efficient. They are also essential to operations. We need them in place at this critical time. As we face the challenges of the current economy and anticipate the coming year, we join other non-profits and cultural institutions in making difficult budgetary decisions. We need your support now more important than ever. Take a moment to reflect upon the value of the Museum, and consider making a gift to an institution that adds real quality to life. We are entering an exciting time in our 35 year history in Framingham, and your gift will preserve the kind of institution you have come to love and respect. We will be profoundly grateful for your support. Katherine French, Director Ps. If you have not yet completed our Danforth Museum of Art and Museum School Survey, please do so now! This confidential online survey takes just 5 minutes. You not only share ideas, but also have the chance to compete for your choice of the following raffle prizes: 4 tickets to Boston Pops Film Night at Tanglewood, tickets to the Boston Ballet, or a $150 gift certificate to Il Capriccio Restaurant in Waltham. The survey will close on Friday, April 10 and the raffle winner will be notified by May 13. Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape the future of your Museum. ›› Contribute to the Annual Fund Now. Related Articles Arts Groups Lose Out in Fight for Funds Taking a Step by Step Approach to Growth The Danforth's Blumer Fund has Helped Fund Important Projects at the Museum |
Director's Note - March 2009
Spirit of Community Community is central to what we do at the Danforth Museum of Art. Since 1975 the Museum and Museum School have worked to connect all members of our diverse audience through truly outstanding programs and exhibits, and our success can be measured. During the winter season approximately 5,000 visitors came to the Museum to see Faith Ringgold and other related exhibits, and membership increased by 5%. Despite the challenges of a troubled economy, the Museum is growing. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - February 2009
A Matter of Trust Along with many others, I’ve watched developing events at the Rose Art Museum with concern. While it’s impossible for me to judge another institution, I can speak to what happens at the Danforth Museum of Art. As a non profit, we are charged with serving the public good. As an art museum, we fulfill this obligation by collecting and preserving works of art. This is what we do, and what we will continue to do—regardless of the challenges of an aging building or troubled economy. Art can be bought and sold, but its real value lies in its ability to inspire us to think beyond our immediate situation. Troubled times demand creative solutions, and we need to look no further than our permanent collection to see good examples of creative thinking. Our collection contains nearly 3,500 pieces of art, and lies at the very heart of all that we do. In return for our tax exempt status, we have promised to make this collection available and accessible. These are exciting times for the Museum, and we have great plans for the future. As we near completion of a building feasibility study by Ann Beha Architects and begin a strategic planning process, we will continue to follow strict ethical guidelines set down by the museum profession to insure the accessibility of our collection. This was a promise that we made more than 30 years ago when the Museum was founded, and this is a promise we intend to keep. Katherine French, Director AAM Statement on the Closure of the Rose Museum at Brandeis University, 1/29/09 NEMA's Response to Brandeis Decision to Close the Rose Art Museum |
Director's Note - January 2009
One of the truly great things about my job is getting to thank people, and I’m happy to begin the New Year by doing just that. During the month of December, members and friends contributed more than $45,000 to the Annual Fund. Help us reach $50,000 before January 31, 2009. It's not too late. Please make a donation today! This support is greatly appreciated, and ensures continued growth at a significant time. During the month of January, Ann Beha Architects will present the results of a building feasibility study; the Museum and the Town of Framingham will meet to discuss the possibility of a long term lease; and Trustees will begin a strategic planning process to determine the future of an organization that celebrates art and the creation of art. Art sustains human existence, and this is particularly true during times of economic uncertainty. Art educates people of all ages, and inspires us to grow as a culture. If you have not yet had the opportunity to make a contribution, please join others who believe that art truly adds to our lives in an important way. We need art more than ever right now, and your support is vital. Thank you! Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - December 2008
This has been a significant year for the Museum. In the past twelve months we have achieved visible success with critically acclaimed exhibitions and programs and these efforts have been publicly recognized. The Massachusetts Arts Education Collaborative named the Danforth Museum of Art Outstanding Cultural Organization for 2008 and Bank of America selected us for participation in their Museums on Us™ Program. Museum membership and Museum School enrollment have increased dramatically, and individual and corporate support has been significant. Despite the challenge of an unsettled economy, we entertain great hope for the coming year. Within the next few months Ann Beha Architects will complete a building feasibility study funded by donations from generous individuals and a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Cultural Facilities Fund. Our new data base will increase organizational capacity through on-line class registrations, donations, and purchases. Trustees are poised to begin a strategic planning process with help from graduate students and an alumni team of Community Action Partners (CAP) from the Harvard Business School. However, many acquainted with the Museum know that we face critical concerns about our facility. In the coming year, this situation will be addressed. Results from the Beha study will inform strategic planning. We begin discussions with the Town of Framingham in January regarding the future of the Danforth Building, and the possibility of a long term lease. Whether we decide to remain in our current facility or choose to go elsewhere, this will be a decisive year. By next December, we will not only report on our considerable success, but also on some clear plans for the future. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - November 2008
This month we would like to extend special thanks to the more than 300 people who attended the Museum's benefit event, A Matter of Taste, which raised more than $15,000 in support of exhibitions and programming, as well as brought together our community to enjoy different exhibits while sampling a selection of wines from around the world. Through a mix of art and social engagement, we become less isolated-and meaningfully engaged by the opportunity to share an experience. Katherine French, Director |
Director's Note - October 2008
Like everyone else in the country, we’ve watched recent events with interest. We know that the Museum not only enhances cultural and educational life for the community, but also that we’re important to the economy itself. Together with other cultural organizations, we contribute nearly two billion dollars to cultural tourism. We may be small, but our impact is significant. And the good news is that despite financial unrest on Wall Street, the Museum has been doing well. In July the Massachusetts Cultural Council awarded the Museum a $37,500 grant from the state’s Cultural Facilities Fund to begin a feasibility study on the Danforth Building with Ann Beha Architects. A required 1:1 match to the MCC grant was met within the first month. Summer enrollment in art classes exceeded expectations, and revenue from the Museum School has increased nearly $100,000 since last year. The Museum has welcomed a growing number of visitors, and noted increased memberships and sales from the Museum Shop. During the month of September, private donors have contributed more than $60,000 to the Museum. Artists and collectors have contributed major works to our permanent collection. Investor confidence in the Museum not only appears stable, but seems to be growing. One indicator of this confidence is increased corporate support. Corporate sponsorship is vital to the Museum’s economic well being, and we are pleased to honor our corporate members at our upcoming corporate breakfast on Tuesday, October 7. This year’s keynote speaker is Jason Schupbach, the newly appointed Creative Economy Industry Director at the Massachusetts Office of Business Development. Businesses have begun to view the arts as crucial to strategic philanthropy, and the Danforth Museum of Art is pleased to be part of this effort. While we will continue to watch the economy, we begin the year with cautious optimism. Results from the building feasibility study will help us make decisions about much needed repairs to the Danforth Building—repairs that are necessary despite the state of the financial market. We would like to thank everyone whose support has allowed the Museum to realize unprecedented growth during a time when this might not have seemed possible. However, we will need your continued support, if we are to survive. Art sustains human activity, and helps us grow as a culture. Art educates, renews and inspires. Katherine French, Director Related Articles: |
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