Become A Member
Membership at MWPAI offers many advantages.
Join The Fountain Elms Society
Frederick, Thomas, and Maria Proctor agreed that arts and culture are the foundation of a great community.
Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute
Bringing the Arts to Everyone
Giving
310 Genesee Street
Utica, New York
Phone 315-797-0000
New Payment Options Make it Easy to Join the Fountain Elms Society
MWPAI President Anthony J. Spiridigloizzi has announced that membership in the Fountain Elms Society is now available to anyone making a monthly pledge to the Institute of $85 or more, payable on any major credit card.
The Fountain Elms Society recognizes and rewards the Institute’s most generous donors whose financial support is crucial to the future of MWPAI.
This monthly pledge option makes membership accessible to those who are passionate about their support of art and culture in the community, but are more comfortable making modest, monthly gifts rather than a single large payment. “The Society is a gathering of wonderful friends of the Institute who enjoy our programs and the social events that celebrate their commitment,” Spiridigloizzi said. “I want to make sure that all who want to take advantage of the membership benefits are able to do so.”
Each member of the Society contributes at least $1,000 annually in support of the Institute’s programs. Membership benefits include reciprocal privileges at many museums throughout North America, discounts to most Institute programs, unlimited free admission to special ticketed exhibitions, and invitations to at least four events solely for Fountain Elms Society members each year.
During 2012, those events will include an escorted coach trip to a significant arts performance in central New York, an exclusive preview of our major summer exhibition, Shadow of the Sphinx, and our traditional Victorian Holiday celebration. Members are also invited to a curator-guided “behind the scenes” tour of one of our museum buildings and art storage facility for a group of up to ten family members, friends, and colleagues.
To learn more about the Fountain Elms Society, or to enroll either directly or through the monthly payment plan, contact Director of Development Joe Silberlicht at 797-0000, extension 2297 or email.
Bequest Recognized
The Institute gratefully acknowledges a generous bequest from the estate of Mr. Charles L. (Chuck) Pankiewicz, who passed away June 18, 2011. Born in Utica in 1924, Chuck had been a member of MWPAI for more than 50 years. He and his wife, Stephanie, who died in 1996, were frequent visitors to the Museum of Art and rarely missed Great Artists Series performances. “Chuck’s thoughtful gift will help ensure that the art and culture he and Stephanie enjoyed will be available to future generations,” said MWPAI Acting President Anthony Spiridigloizzi. “In following the example set by the Proctors and in the spirit of community, Chuck’s generosity is deeply appreciated.”
Individuals who have made us aware that the Institute is a beneficiary named in their will or estate plans are recognized with membership in the 1936 Legacy Circle. For more information about the 1936 Legacy Circle or including MWPAI in your estate plans, please contact Director of Development Joe Silberlicht at 797-0000, extension 2297 or email.
Contributions From Your IRA are Still Tax-Free
The IRA Charitable Rollover provisions have been extended through the end of 2011. If you are 70 ½ years of age or older you can contribute any amount, up to $100,000, from your traditional IRA to Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute. In addition to providing important support to MWPAI, this transfer of funds from your IRA counts towards your required minimum distribution (RMD) and will not be treated as taxable income to you. This is one of very few ways that you, or your heirs, can utilize funds in your traditional IRA without being subject to income taxes.
Keep in mind that:
- IRA rollover gifts must be made directly from your traditional IRA to a qualified charity, such as MWPAI. (Contact your IRA custodian for the appropriate forms for making a rollover gift.)
- The amount of your gift will be excluded from your gross income.
- Your rollover gift counts towards your annual minimum distribution requirement.
- Your gift must be sent from your IRA directly to MWPAI to qualify.
Contact Joe Silberlicht, Director of Development at 315-797-0000, extension 2297 or email for more information.
Thank you for your support of MWPAI.
Gala Celebrates 75 Years
More than 250 corporate sponsors, board members, and members of the Fountain Elms Society gathered on May 21 to enjoy cocktails, an excellent silent auction, a superb meal, and much socializing at the 75th Anniversary Gala.
Adding to the excitement was a live auction of 14 wonderful artworks and experiences by our celebrity auctioneer, Leigh Keno. Among the items taken home by determined bidders were a beautiful Stickley mission oak rocker, a pair of original Easton Pribble paintings and a hotel stay in the Italian Dolomites. No one left empty-handed, as even the unsuccessful bidders left with souvenir crystal wine glasses etched with an image of the wyvern as featured on the Institute’s weathervane.
The event was designed to celebrate 75 years of MWPAI’s service to our community, and to raise funds to continue that legacy for the next 75 years and beyond. At the conclusion of the evening, Joe Silberlicht, MWPAI director of development, thanked the attendees, noting that their generosity in sponsoring tables, purchasing tickets, and bidding enthusiastically had raised more than $103,000 to benefit Institute programs. He also thanked our volunteer chairs, Mike and Kelly Parsons, for their efforts on behalf of the Institute.
A number of upcoming events will offer our members and the public opportunities to join in the celebration of the 75th Anniversary. In addition to the opening reception for Wedded Perfection, the celebration continues with receptions welcoming the exhibitions, Ansel Adams: Masterworks from the Collection of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, and Trenton Falls: The Moore Family and Trenton Falls: Three Paintings by Thomas Hicks and Enhancing a Legacy: Gifts and Acquisitions in Honor of the Museum of Art’s 75th Anniversary.
A special 75th Anniversary Holiday gathering of the Fountain Elms Society is scheduled for December 10.
Fountain Elms Society Continues To Grow
The Fountain Elms Society, which recognizes the highest level of support to the Institute, has grown to more than 75 members.
MWPAI Acting President Anthony Spiridigloizzi noted that having 75 members was a significant achievement in this, the 75th anniversary year of the opening of MWPAI. “This support from our community validates the vision of our founders and confirms that their dream of a vibrant center for art and culture is shared by our members,” he said.
MWPAI Board of Trustees Chairman William F. Locke, citing the generous gift of the Proctor families that established the Institute, said he is delighted by the support of the Fountain Elms Society. “While we will celebrate this achievement,” he said, “we will also raise our sights, and invite more members of our community to join this remarkable group. I look forward to celebrating 100, 200 and more members as we are embraced by those who benefit from this special place.”
Membership in the Fountain Elms Society is granted to those who provide voluntary support to MWPAI of $1,000 or more annually. Privileges include discounts on educational programs and classes, invitations to exclusive receptions and exhibition openings, and the opportunity to attend a variety of social and cultural events each year.
Additional information about the Society, the membership benefits, and your invitation to become a member, may be obtained from Joe Silberlicht, Director of Development, 315-797-0000, extension 2297 or Email.
A complete list of Fountain Elms Society members will be published in an upcoming issue of the Bulletin.
What is the Annual Fund?
The MWPAI Annual Fund is the voluntary financial support of our members and patrons that provides essential support to the programs, exhibitions, classes and performances that we offer all year long. It is given by people like you who understand the value of art and culture in our community. The Annual Fund helps us to maintain free admission to the museum, helps us to bring the most creative performers to our Great Artist Series and Concerts in the Court, enables us to provide guided museum tours to thousands of schoolchildren every year, ensures that we can attract and retain exceptional teaching artists as faculty for our classes, and, in short, makes everything that the Institute does just that much better. Support from the Annual Fund truly allows our programs to be excellent.
MWPAI relies upon three primary sources of income to fund the broad array of programs you have come to expect. The largest source is our endowment, established 74 years ago by our founding families. Today, income from the endowment provides nearly 60% of our budget each year. Next is revenue generated by tuition, ticket sales and program fees. While this revenue is substantial, it does not cover the full costs of making these programs available. Our third source of income is the voluntary support we receive from our community, the Annual Fund.
Your generosity impacts every single facet of the jewel that is MWPAI. Beginning with this issue of The Bulletin, and continuing monthly, we will highlight a different Institute program that relies upon your support of the Annual Fund. As you make your philanthropic decisions, please consider supporting the Institute with a generous Annual Fund gift. We are counting on you!
For questions or assistance, please contact Joe Silberlicht at 797-0000 ext 2297 or Email
Online Annual FundThe MWPAI Annual Fund is the voluntary financial support of our members and patrons that provides essential support to the programs, exhibitions, classes and performances that we offer all year long. » Learn More... |
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