Friends of Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State Establish $100,000 Endowment

May 3, 2000
University Park, Pa.–The Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art has established a $100,000 endowment to support the museum in its efforts to attract the best in special exhibitions, such as the current showings of Henri Matisse and Andy Warhol, while continuing to maintain an outstanding permanent collection.

The endowment was made possible through donations from individual members of the Friends organization, which numbers approximately 600 people, and from fund-raising events such as the Annual Gala, a black-tie event that includes dinner, dancing and a silent and live auction.

"Thousands of hours of volunteer time go into fund-raising events and membership drives," said Jan Muhlert, director of the museum. "We’re hoping that others will come forward and contribute to the endowment, and that it will grow well beyond $100,000."

The endowment also will be used to support the production of publications that complement special exhibitions or focus on one part of the museum’s permanent collection.

"Over the past 26 years since the Friends’ founding, funds have been used primarily to purchase works of art," explained Karen Shute, president of the Friends’ board. "We will continue to provide funds for acquisitions, but that will be done mainly through the annual Purchase Party that we hold every spring. Members come to the event and are presented with a number of works from which they can choose, and they can voteon which ones the museum should purchase. We will carry on that activity because it does continue the history of the Friends helping the museum acquire art."

However, the Friends’ board of directors agreed to shift the focus to giving support to the museum for its exhibition programs, according to Shute. "We felt the best way to do that would be to establish a permanent endowment that would ensure that the museum would be able to compete for the very best in exhibitions, produce publications and expand programs."

Shute said that expanded programs include demonstrations and informal talks by visiting artists, workshops for teachers and families, interactive computer stations for visitors of all ages, film series and evening hours.

Right now, the museum, part of the College of Arts and Architecture, is preparing for the May 13 Annual Gala, the principal fund-raiser for the Friends. Last year, nearly $40,000 was raised at the event.

Penn State invests endowed gifts and uses part of the annual income to support programs designated by the donors. Remaining income is returned to the principal, to protect it from inflation and ensure further growth.

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