Membership & Support
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Sign up below to receive invitations to openings and exhibition-related programming from the ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum.
New Membership Options
Maximize Your Engagement with our Programs and Impact on the Museum
Friends of the ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum wishing to become more involved with our Museum while receiving amazing benefits and supporting our mission are invited to join one of our Patron Societies.
While we are proud to offer a "free" membership option as part of our commitment to access and inclusivity, joining as a member of one of our societies will help us bring more prestigious exhibitions and special programs to our galleries, always presented at no cost to our visitors. Your generosity will also enable individuals from across the country to enjoy all exhibitions and programs in person or virtually, in English and Spanish.
FREE MEMBERSHIP includes:
- Access to free gallery talks;
- Invitations to free exhibition openings and access to over 60 annual free programs, including Family Day events, Meditation in the Gallery, and Art Parties;
- Participation in the College and University Art Museums Reciprocal Program, which offers complimentary admission to over ;
- Subscription to quarterly e-newsletter
DOCENT SOCIETY ($250 – $999) includes:
- All benefits of Free Membership +
- Advance notice of museum public programs and events — Hear about our programs, most of which sell out within minutes, and register online a week before everyone else!
- Invitations to special preview events with the artists or exhibition curators.
CURATOR SOCIETY ($1,000 - $2,009) includes:
- All benefits of Docent Society +
- VIP reserved seating at most Museum programs and public events;
- Invitation to the President’s annual Holiday Party;
- Invitation to Arts & Minds season preview VIP Event in June.
2010 SOCIETY ($2,010 - $4,999) includes:
- All benefits of Curator Society +
- Private tour of one exhibition/year with the Museum Director or Curator of Education;
- Recognition on the Museum’s website;
- Invitations to special events, guided tours, and trips with the Museum Director.
DIRECTOR SOCIETY ($5,000 and above) includes
- All benefits of 2010 Society +
- Private tour of all exhibitions with the Museum Director or Curator of Education;
- Opportunity for named support of one exhibition in the Museum’s annual calendar of events.
Questions? Please call (203) 254-4046 or email museum@fairfield.edu.
Ways To Give
The ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum relies on the generosity of alumni, parents and friends to help us achieve success. Essential support from donors and sponsors ensures our continuing vitality as a rich cultural resource for the university and the community. Please help us fulfill our mission and consider making a gift the museum.
Giving By Mail - Please make checks payable to ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University and send to:
¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum
Bellarmine Hall
1073 N. Benson Rd.
¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ, CT 06824
Please Note "¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum" in the Memo Line
Planned Giving - To explore including ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum in your estate plan, whether through cash, securities, artwork, business interests, or beneficiary designations, etc., please contact Emma B. Penick, MBA, AEP®, CAP®, Senior Director of Planned Giving, at 203-254-4020 or epenick@fairfield.edu; or visit .
Giving Online - gifts can be made securely online using a debit or credit card by clicking the button below (select "Other Designations" and "¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University Art Museum").
Black Art Fund
In 2021, the museum announced the creation of the Black Art Fund, a new fundraising initiative to support the acquisition of artwork by contemporary Black artists, to address a major gap in the museum’s permanent collection. The museum is seeking both financial contributions to this fund, and donations of museum quality artworks to achieve greater representation and recognition of non-white artists and artworks. As of Spring 2023, we have received four gifts of artwork, and have purchased 34 works with the funds that we have raised.
Image Captions (left to right, top to bottom): Sam Gilliam, Fast Track, 1992. 8 color relief and etching. Gift of Russell Panczenko, 2021 / Roberto Lugo, Peaceful Protesters: Nina Simone II, 2021. Glazed ceramic, luster, steel, epoxy, enamel. Museum Purchase, with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2021 / Janet Taylor Pickett, Memory Jacket, 2007. Offset lithograph. Partial gift of the Brandywine Workshop and Archive and Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022 / Ruth Owens, Edelweiss Shower, 2019. Casein on paper. Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022 / Robert Visani, Cardboard Slave Kit, Abolitionist Blend DIY, 2021. Cardboard. Museum Purchase, with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2021 / Samella Lewis, Cleo (Color), 1996. Offset lithograph. Partial gift of the Brandywine Workshop and Archive and Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022 / Larry Walker, Veiled Wall Spirits, 2009. Offset lithograph. Partial gift of the Brandywine Workshop and Archive and Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022 / Mikel Elam, Veil, 2019, Offset lithograph. Partial gift of the Brandywine Workshop and Archive and Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022 / Frank Smith, Be Bop Vamp, 1986. Offset lithograph. Partial gift of the Brandywine Workshop and Archive and Museum Purchase with funds from the Black Art Fund, 2022.
Giving By Mail - Please make checks payable to ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University and send to:
Giving Online - gifts can be made securely online using a debit or credit card by clicking the button below (enter "Black Art Fund" in the box marked "Other.")
If you are interested in making a donation of museum-quality artwork, please contact Executive Director Carey Weber.
Sponsors
Traditional Fine Arts Organization
¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ Arts Institute
Join the 2010 Society
The 2010 Society is an exclusive group of museum Friends. Your generosity will continue to keep the museum free and accessible to all. 100% of annual dues are used to support three crucial needs of the museum: diversifying and strengthening our small but distinguished collection, enhancing exhibitions and awareness, and inspiring young minds.
2010 Society Benefits:
- Special invitations to social and academic events where you will connect with other supporters of the arts
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to museum programming
- Recognition in the ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University President’s Circle, including an invitation to a President’s annual Holiday Reception
- All the benefits of museum membership
Annual membership dues:
- $2,010 Individual (100% tax-deductible)
- $4,020 Dual (100% tax-deductible)
Donations of Artwork
If you would like to discuss the possible donation of works of art to the museum, thereby helping us grow our permanent collection and enhancing our essential teaching mission, contact Carey Weber (203-254-2499; cweber@fairfield.edu) for information about our Collections and Acquisitions Policy. All works of art accepted as donations to the collection are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Volunteers
We need you! Help us fulfill our mission of offering meaningful and enriching opportunities for engagement with original works of art to the ¹ú²úÉ«ÇéƬ University community and members of the public! Contact the museum (museum@fairfield.edu or 203-254-4046) for information about volunteer opportunities.
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