It takes a village to run an art museum -- literally.
Without donations and sponsorships from corporations, organizations, and individuals, the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) would not exist. Even now that it’s housed in its new LEED Gold certified, energy efficient building, it still costs an incredible amount of money to operate the place.
State of Michigan and operating grants account for less than one percent of GRAM’s budgetary income. The rest of the money needed to fund Grand Rapids’ unique art exhibition space comes from underwriting, memberships, facility rental, the annual fund, and endowment support.
“It’s through the generosity of individuals and organizations that the Art Museum reaches its financial goals and continues to be available as a community resource,” says Marketing & Public Relations Director, Kerri VanderHoff.
VanderHoff says the mission of GRAM is “to inspire discovery, enjoyment, and learning about art, to serve as a welcoming and inclusive cultural resource, and to collect, conserve, and interpret works of art of the finest quality.”
GRAM successfully accomplishes this mission by continually presenting new world-class art exhibitions, properly maintaining its own vast collection of art, community engagement activities, and educational opportunities.
With a rich history of more than 100 years in West Michigan, GRAM moved into its new facility in 2007 with the financial help of lead donor Peter M. Wege and countless others. The building has the distinction of being the first LEED Gold certified Art Museum in the world.
The LEED "green" features allow for greater efficiency in water management, heating and cooling, and more, but because of its size, lighting, and security needs, it is still a significant expense to maintain the building, with building operations accounting for 30 percent of the yearly expenses.
GRAM also offers affordable entry rates and free hours at the museum to make it accessible to everyone. These visitor benefits, along with the many educational and community engagement activities, are paid for through generous donations and sponsorships.
The Art Museum offers free general admission every Tuesday from 1-5 p.m., a reduced rate on Friday nights after 5 p.m., and kids under the age of five always get in free.
During community events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and Celebration on the Grand, admission to the museum is free as well. This year during ArtPrize, exhibition center sponsors helped GRAM stay open, free of charge, for 19 days. These sponsors included Huntington Bank, Rockford Construction, and Wolverine World Wide.
Amway Corporation and Fifth Third Bank have underwritten the Museums Free 4 All program, where four downtown museums collaborate on four Sundays throughout the year, offering free general admission to all.
Other events sponsored by organizations in the community include: the weekly Friday Nights at GRAM events that are sponsored by Steelcase, Inc.; the Saturday All Day with the Arts family programming that is supported by Amway’s One by One Campaign for Children; and the Sunday Classical Concert Series underwritten by PNC Wealth Management and the Blodgett Foundation.
Every exhibition presented at GRAM is funded by generous organizations as well. The current exhibition, Real/Surreal, with masterpieces on loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art, is made possible by presenting sponsor, the Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation, with additional support by several others.
Along with the financial contributions, hundreds of volunteers donate their time throughout the year, too.
Various membership opportunities also support GRAM and provide benefits to members such as free general admission, invitations to preview parties, and discounts on programs and classes.
Community events are one of the ways GRAM gives back to West Michigan’s philanthropic kindness. The annual tree lighting ceremony, held this year on Nov. 30, has become a celebrated downtown tradition. A 40-foot blue spruce is installed in front of the museum with its 40,000 LED energy efficient lights turned on for the holiday season.
GRAM partners with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation department and the Downtown Alliance to offer free horse-drawn carriage rides that night and an ice skating performance that officially opens the Rosa Parks Circle Skating Rink for the winter.
Community donations, sponsorships, and memberships all ensure that GRAM will continue to be a thriving cultural centerpiece in our city. As they like to say, “live artfully, give artfully.”
We are fortunate to have such a valuable resource for the arts here in Grand Rapids. Support GRAM if you can, either financially or by volunteering and visiting. Here are some ways to get involved:
- Visit the
Grand Rapids Art Museum online to find out more.
- Check out the
Real/Surreal exhibit now through January 13.
- Become a
member.
-
Donate to GRAM.
- Volunteer at GRAM, or if you have a business, consider participating in some of the underwriting or partnership opportunities. For more information, contact the Development office at 616-831-2906 or by
email.
- Attend one of the
many events, including the weekly Friday Nights at GRAM events and the tree lighting ceremony on Nov. 30.
- Like GRAM on
Facebook.
- Follow
@GR_Art_Museum on Twitter.
Source: Kerri VanderHoff, Marketing & Public Relations Director at GRAM
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Images provided by the Grand Rapids Art Museum.