7 minute read
Development
Photo by Sharon Kenney
Membership at SJMA
Nearly 1,500 households comprised SJMA’s paid membership base in FY19, generating $154,000 in annual membership revenue (three percent of the Museum’s operating income). Levels ranged from $35 to $3,000, with benefits including free year-round admission to all of SJMA’s exhibitions, reduced pricing on public and ticketed programs, discounts at the Museum Store and Café, and invitations to special members-only events. Members at the dual/family level and above received reciprocal benefits at up to 900 participating Museums across the United States. In addition to their membership contributions, SJMA’s members gave $40,000 in annual donations for general operating support.
New in FY19, SJMA established a Permanent Collection Artist membership program, which provides complimentary individual level memberships to 651 individual artists whose work is included in SJMA’s permanent collection.
Patron Level Membership
Central to SJMA’s major giving program for individuals, members of the Council of 100 and Director’s Council are integral investors for social impact at the San José Museum of Art. Members are intimately engaged in the life of the Museum, connecting with curators, artists, and SJMA leadership; and provide crucial growth capital to support the institution’s overarching goal to become a borderless museum, essential to creative life in San José and Silicon Valley. During FY19, the C100 and DC giving programs generated $273,400 for general operating support.
The Director’s Council and Council of 100 influence the acquisition of artwork for SJMA’s permanent collection through an annual ArtPick event with the Museum’s curators, and they share a special dinner and conversation with a cutting-edge contemporary artist each year, such as Alison Saar, Hayal Pozanti, Eric Fischl, Linda Besemer, Leo Villareal, and Tony Oursler. Members venture on day trips to visit artist studios, private collections, and behind-the-scenes throughout the Bay Area and Northern California art community—and they also travel nationally and internationally with SJMA’s executive director.
Director’s Council: 39 Households Members invest $10,000 and above annually and enjoy: • private curator-led tours of SJMA’s exhibitions • receptions at homes of top local collectors • invitation to travel biennially with SJMA’s executive director to prime destinations for art lovers, such as Germany, India, China, Portugal, Spain, and Japan • and all benefits of the Council of 100.
Council of 100: 14 Households Members contribute between $5,000 and $9,999 annually and enjoy: • the Council of 100’s Annual Dinner, which features artists discussing art today • annual ArtPick, to vote for an acquisition to the Museum’s permanent collection with funding provided by a portion of the Councils’ annual investments • annual day trip to visit artists' studios, private art collections, and other exclusive destinations • invitation to travel with SJMA to national art destinations such as San Diego, Scottsdale, Arizona, Houston, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
FY19 Membership Households
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Development Events
Opening Receptions
SJMA hosted four celebrations for its FY19 exhibitions. The openings of Dinh Q. Lê: True Journey Is Return, Undersoul: Jay DeFeo, and Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World included special receptions for sponsors and patron-level members, followed by after-hours access for all levels of membership. Private dinners for the artists, exhibition sponsors, and artwork lenders were also hosted.
The opening celebration for Other Walks, Other Lines and New Terrains took place as part of SJMA’s Third Thursday public programming. Produced in partnership with 19 community partner organizations, it featured performances by Ensemble Folklorico, Mosaic Silicon Valley, Play On Words, and sjDANCEco. Dinh Q. Lê: True Journey Is Return, September 12, 2018 Other Walks, Other Lines and New Terrains, November 15, 2018 Undersoul: Jay DeFeo, March 9, 2019 Rina Banerjee: Make Me a Summary of the World, May 15, 2019
Young Professional Events
Members of SJMA’s Young Professional group were offered unique opportunities for professional and social networking with Silicon Valley art enthusiasts and next-generation community leaders. Members enjoyed exclusive after-hours events, reciprocal membership benefits at hundreds of other museums in California and across the United States, and the chance to connect with downtown San José’s thriving community of young professionals.
Young Professionals’ Halloween at California Academy of Sciences, October 25, 2018 Young Professionals’ Holiday Cocktail Party at SJMA, December 6, 2018
Patron Level Member Events + Travel Program
In FY19 the group’s annual dinner featured artist Alison Saar as guest speaker. Members traveled to Chicago with Oshman Executive Director Sayre Batton to tour artists' studios, private collections, and museums. The annual ArtPick held on April 17, 2019, provided members an opportunity to help build the Museum’s permanent collection; two photographs by Los Angeles-based artist Genevieve Gaignard were selected through attendees' votes. C100 Day Trip to Wine Country, October 20, 2018 C100 Annual Dinner, February 2, 2019 Art Pick, April 17, 2019 C100 National Trip to Chicago, May 1–6, 2019 |
Corporate Leadership Council
The Corporate Leadership Council of SJMA celebrated Silicon Valley’s leading female professionals and creatives through its annual program “Women in Leadership.” On June 13, 2019, this signature event provided after-hours access to four exhibitions featured the work of visionary women artists, as well as a panel discussion on the topic of intersectional feminism, moderated by Holly Shen, deputy director, SJMA, with guest panelists Annie Jean Baptiste (Google), Annabel Chang ( and Alaska Airlines), Kim Walesh (City of San José).
Contemporary Curator’s Circle (CCC)
This new affinity membership group established by Curator Lauren Schell Dickens and volunteer Kelly Huang brings young collectors and aspiring collectors together to visit artists' studios and local collections, to gain an inside perspective into Dickens' work at SJMA, and to build an intimate community among the next generation of fellow Bay Area art lovers.
Long-time SJMA Trustee Peter Lipman and his wife Beverly hosted the group’s inaugural gathering at their home in Portola Valley on May 29, 2019. Prospective CCC members toured the Lipmans' collection and learned more about the CCC and plans for future gatherings and events.
Trustee and Major Donor-Sponsored Salons
In the spirit of philanthropic leadership and peer-led fundraising, SJMA’s closest supporters host intimate gatherings in the their homes or at the Museum. They invite individuals to join them as investors in the Museum’s operations and strategic initiatives. During FY19, three private events helped to generate significant funding, build a stronger culture of individual philanthropy, and cultivate new donors, members, and Trustees: Visionary Women Artists hosted by Mary Mocas and Marv Tseu, November 10, 2018 Marsha and Jon Witkin Fundraising Salon, February 24, 2019 SJMA 50th Anniversary Dinner hosted by Yvonne and Mike Nevens, March 2, 2019
Photo by Gary Sexton Photo by Sharon Kenney
Photos by Drew Altizer Photography
The Wonder Ball
Annual Gala Celebration September 22, 2018
The Wonder Ball: a gala in honor of benefactors Toby and Barry Fernald and artist Hung Liu Saturday, September 22, 2018 5:30pm–midnight
Dubbed “one of the most creative events of the year” by Sal Pizarro of The Mercury News, SJMA’s The Wonder Ball is a crown jewel of the Silicon Valley arts scene. With internationally celebrated artists in attendance, a live auction of contemporary fine art, and an after-party with live music and dancing, it showcases the highest level of hospitality and artistry. The 2018 celebration honored great benefactors Toby and Barry Fernald for their years of leadership, support, and advocacy for art education. In celebration of the worldwide contributions that artists make to society and all our lives, the Museum also presented its inaugural artist award to one of the most beloved artists represented in its collection: renowned artist Hung Liu.
The Mirror Ball, the after-party for The Wonder Ball, offered an extended evening of cocktails, latenight comfort food, live music from No Water After Midnight, dancing, and after-hours access to all exhibitions, including, Won Ju Lim: California Dreamin'.
With nearly 700 guests in attendance, the FY19 Wonder Ball was the most successful fundraising event in the Museum’s 49-year history. The Wonder Ball raised $870,000 to support the Museum’s landmark exhibitions, inclusive public programs, and education initiatives. Following a reception in the Museum, by Cellista, New Ballet Studio Company, and San Jose Jazz performed. Cocktails were served by Sipsmith, the official gin of the San José Museum of Art, and wine was generously provided by Total Wine & More. More than twenty artists attended, including Matthew Angelo Harrison, Mildred Howard, Ramekon O’Arwisters, Mel Prest, Lava Thomas, and Xiaoze Xie.
Gala Co-chairs Nicolette St. Angel and Robert Lindo
Auction Chair Tad Freese
Guest Auctioneer Robbie Gordy, Christie's, New York
