Development

For the last eleven years, Vesterheim magazine has brought all the best in Norwegian-American history, heritage, art, and culture right to your door. The magazine is a major member benefit that would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors like those listed below, to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude.

If you sponsor Vesterheim magazine, you sponsor our entire effort—not just one aspect of the museum. Your contribution allows us to share our remarkable collection internationally with thousands of our members, including the Norwegian consulates in the U.S.; the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; and Vesterheim’s Honorary Board Chair, His Majesty Harald V, King of Norway.

Sponsorship is tax-deductible and is added to the donor’s record of gifts to Vesterheim. Sponsors are acknowledged on the inside front cover of the magazine and in Vesterheim’s Annual Report. Full sponsors, if they wish, have the opportunity to work with the museum’s editorial staff to create a two-page illustrated article to be included in the front of the magazine that might highlight ancestors, families, businesses, foundations, or other organizations that have made contributions to Norwegian-American life and culture. To learn more about how you can join this prestigious honor roll of sponsors, please contact Steve Grinna, Vesterheim’s Director of Development, at 563-382-9681, ext. 109, or sgrinna@vesterheim.org.

Lila Nelson Vol. 1, No. 1, 2003—125 Years of Collecting Alyce Neetzel and Kenn Barry Vol. 1, No. 2, 2003—Incarnations

Dean and Marilynn Amdal Madden Vol. 2, No. 1, 2004—The Art of Rosemaling Bob and Betty Sande, and Milma Naeseth Vol. 2, No. 2, 2004—Genealogy The Hansen Foundation in memory of John K. and Luise V. Hansen Vol. 3, No. 1, 2005—Chicago Kunst Harriet Wrolstad in memory of her brother Dr. Merald E. Wrolstad Vol. 3, No. 2, 2005—Got Wood?

Wayne and Dorothy Johnson Vol. 4, No. 1, 2006—The Architecture of Immigration Gundersen Lutheran Health System Vol. 4, No. 2, 2006—Space, Place, & Memory Arne Sorenson in honor of all the Norwegian-American Women in His Life Vol. 5, No. 1, 2007—Honoring Women’s Work Anonymous Donor in honor of the Men and Women Who Served in WWII Vol. 5, No. 2, 2007—WWII

The Donna Danielson Estate

Vol. 6, No. 1, 2008—Thought for Food

Ruth and Arne Sorenson, Dave and Brenda Carlson, Brigitte and John Christianson, Gail and Larry Larson, Linda and Dave Mona, Bob and Becky Shaw, and a bequest by Harriet Hustvedt

Vol. 6, No. 2, 2008—Minding Their Businesses

Lila Nelson

Vol. 7, No. 1, 2009—Dyed in the Wool

Kate Rattenborg and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans

Vol. 7, No. 2, 2009—That Old Norwegian Song and Dance

Kathleen Orea Sweeney, Friends Honoring Professor Russell Rulon, and the Chicago Friends of Vesterheim

Vol. 8, No. 1, 2010—Sámi

The Ylvisaker Family, Ham and Suzanne Peterson, Ruth Fjelstad, Weston Noble, Dave and Brenda Carlson, and Curt Reiso Vol. 8, No. 2, 2010—Education & Culture

Thompson Investment Management, Inc. Vol. 9, No. 1, 2011—Playing Around Anonymous Donor in honor of Norwegian Literary Heritage Vol. 9, No. 2, 2011—Choice Words

Thompson Investment Management, Inc. Vol. 10, No. 1, 2012—Immigrant Dreams, American Giants Anonymous Donor with additional support from the Chicago Friends of Vesterheim in memory of Sigmund Aarseth Vol. 10, No. 2, 2012—What Hands Know

Barbara and Dale Henning Vol. 11, No. 1, 2013—Town & Country Mary Mills Dunea in honor of Princess Astrid of Norway Vol. 11, No. 2, 2013—Norwegian By Design

Share: You can sponsor one of our world-class, rotating special exhibitions, just as Jim and Elaine Halls (upper right)and R.L. and Janet Isabelle Dyck (lower right) recently did with the exhibition Four From the North, featuring recent works of four Duluth-area artists, which is on view through April 16, 2014. Sponsors are still needed for five exhibitions planned for 2014 and beyond: • Favorite Things (Vesterheim artifacts selected by staff and public). • An exhibition focusing on the Bicentennial of Norway’s Constitution. • An exhibition exploring aspects of ethnic and Norwegian-American identity. • An exhibition highlighting mid-century Norwegian enamel art. • The 2014 National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition. Enlighten. We are looking for assistance with the museum’s exceptional education programs, especially for support in bringing Norwegian instructors to teach at Vesterheim’s Folk Art School. Or help us reach out through a more engaging, user-friendly, and interactive website, which we are currently redesigning to bring Vesterheim into homes with the click of a mouse.

Celebrate. Help Vesterheim connect us all through one of our annual events. Each year, Vesterheim invites everyone to attend lively events that appeal to all ages. Please consider supporting one of these great traditions. Among our events, we are seeking sponsorship for Norwegian Christmas Weekend and various actvities at Nordic Fest like the Living Heritage Demonstrators. Illuminate. Take steps to preserve heritage by sponsoring one of Vesterheim’s curatorial projects, like Light Up the Museum, the museum’s effort to change more than 500 out-dated light bulbs to more energy efficient LED bulbs. Vesterheim endeavors to fully recognize all of our supporters. Such recognition may include acknowledgement in Vesterheim’s Annual Report, the Vesterheim Current e-newsletter, Decorah-area media, and press releases to over 100 media contacts in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Sponsorships are added to the donor’s record of gifts to Vesterheim, counting toward the lifetime giving club Kroneklubben (The Crown Club), and most sponsorships are fully tax-deductible. Please contact Steve Grinna at 563-382-9681, ext. 109, or sgrinna@vesterheim.org for more information about sponsorship opportunities at Vesterheim.

Mange Takk to Vesterheim’s Corporate Members!

On October 17, 2013, Vesterheim hosted an event at the museum to show appreciation to our Corporate Members for all their support. Corporate Members of Vesterheim were invited to send representatives from their business to the museum for this special recognition event. The afternoon included behind-the-scenes guided tours of the museum and the Open Air Division. Attendees experienced The World of Jan Brett exhibition, viewed folk-art demonstrations, and enjoyed delicious treats. In addition, all employees of our Corporate Members were offered a special discount at the Museum Store that day.

Corporate Memberships help Vesterheim promote our community as a destination for travel and tourism. With the support of our Corporate Members, Vesterheim brings more than 15,000 people to Decorah each year, contributing over $5 million to our local economy. Our goal is to attract more visitors than ever with special exhibitions and events that are sure to bring a wide audience to Northeast Iowa.

For a full list of our Corporate Members visit us at the museum or online at vesterheim.org.

To learn about the benefits of Corporate Membership and have your business added to the list, please contact Steve Grinna at 563-382-9681, ext. 109, or sgrinna@vesterheim.org.