Give the Gift of Membership

WHAT MEMBERS SAY

“It’s not just about the city, but also about the world beyond the city, via traveling exhibitions and other activities.” — Russ Davidson

“I feel like I have ownership of the Museum, through functions and get togethers with other supporters. I really enjoy the Patron’s Circle dinners. I see a lot of people that I don’t normally see [at other functions.] —Lauro Guaderrama M.D.

“In order for us to move forward as a society, the arts and the creative endeavors enrich our lives in ways that are hard to quantify. It helps you gain insight into the world around us.” —Ted Laredo

Member Vanessa Vassar's son Evan and his friends make themselves at home in the Museum, participating in Family Art Workshops and visiting Only in Albuquerque. Lower right: Museum Director Andrew Connors at an Artsthrive members' event.

Give the Gift of Membership

Members share their love for the Museum.

VANESSA VASSAR has to remind seven-year-old Evan that the Museum is not his living room. “He feels so comfortable there, I have to tell him not to run around.” Evan and mom Vanessa, Museum members, visit around four times a month, regularly attend Saturday Family Art Workshops, and spend hot summer days having lunch at Slate at the Museum followed by art classes or a gallery visit. They almost always make it to Third Thursday. Evan particularly loves Only in Albuquerque, because he and his friends can identify and walk on their neighborhoods on the giant map and make stamps, among other activities. “Only in Albuquerque is really great for kids,” Vassar says.

They became members three years ago, although all of Vassar’s four kids have attended the Museum School classes. Since then, Vassar continues to make frequent use of her membership, bringing many out-of-town and international visitors and using her Museum Store discount to purchase gifts such as jewelry, scarves, and kids books. The freelance writer/photographer/filmmaker has lived all over the world. “I have lived in big cities my whole life and I always tell people who come here that this Museum is really world class, from the way it’s run to the exhibitions, the gift shop, everything.”

Many members say that belonging to the Museum gives them a feeling of ownership—frequent visitors feel at home within its galleries, enjoy the community gatherings as a place to socialize with likeminded individuals, sharing the Museum with friends— even making new ones. Membership benefits foster such familiarity: events, gallery tours, curator and artist talks, and special events, de-mystify the museum experience for young and old alike, creating life-long connections to the Museum community.

Member Ted Laredo concurs with Vassar’s assessment of the Museum as a gem. “For Albuquerque, a city of this size, to have such a great museum is unusual.” Ted and partner Angela Berkson are both fine artists who have shown in ArtsThrive. They have also contributed to the Magic Bus program. Some of Laredo’s favorite member events are panel discussions with artists or curators. “I’m always interested in hearing someone talk about creative context,” he says. Additionally, the members’ openings allow the couple to spend time with other art appreciators.

Indeed, one of the unique benefits of membership is the opportunity to hear world-class experts speak about interesting aspects of exhibitions that may not be readily apparent by visiting the gallery. One such memorable talk for Patron’s Circle member Russ Davidson was given by former Metropolitan Museum of Art Director Philippe de Montebello. He spoke at the opening for Visions of the Hispanic World in November 2018. “It was exhilarating to hear somebody of Montebello’s eminence speak at our museum.”

Members who visit the Museum often have favorite works they seek out each time they come: Laredo has a fondness for Frederick Hammersly, as well as the sculptures of Patrociño Barela. “There’s just so many amazing works and that we have that kind of talent displayed at the Museum.”

The Museum wouldn’t be what it is today without the dedicated staff, who members get to know through community events. Vassar notes that Museum School teacher Ophelia Cornet is world class. Davidson says the Museum is defined by its staff. “I’ve worked with some of these people, and they are tremendously dedicated. I don’t think the Museum could have obtained the stature of significant importance without that element.”

GIVE A GIFT - GET A GIFT Receive a 20% Museum Store discount when you purchase a gift membership (cannot be combined with sale items or regular 10% member discount.)

VANESSA VASSAR

GIFT A LIFETIME OF ART AND HISTOR Y Share your love of the Museum with friends and family. Gifting a Museum membership opens their lives to a world of art, history, culture, and community.