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A Letter from the Director
Dear Friends,
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, we can lose our capacity for deep looking and visual contemplation. The screens surrounding us rarely invite thoughtful consideration. At the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, we devote ourselves daily to preserving the experience of looking at wonderful works of art.
Indeed, the last century has brought countless changes to our society, and the museum has changed with it. In just over a century, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art has gone from a small art school to one of the state’s major art museums. Our collection of 6,000+ artworks opens worlds of learning and creativity for thousands of people each year from 48 states. What hasn’t changed, though, is our belief that looking at art, and truly seeing it, can transform lives.
Art can be written about, described to others, and reproduced online. But its true power is in seeing it up close, original, and in person. This is why we develop numerous gallery programs for 4,000 local students, adults of all ages, people with dementia, Spanish speakers, group homes, and many others. The wonder of looking at art is meant for everyone. And for those who struggle to visit the museum, our outreach programs to places like schools, the Allen County Juvenile Center, and assisted living communities bring visual wonder right to them.
As I think about what changes the future will bring, I see two things that will stay the same: your support of this museum, and the power of art. I ask each of you to be a part of our future as we seek to share our treasures with everyone. Your gifts to the 2024 Annual Fund will help thousands of people from all walks of life have art experiences—now and in the future—that change their lives.
With many thanks,
Charles Shepard
WAYS TO GIVE
Individual Giving
Annual Fund
The Annual Fund helps us sustain operations to continue to serve Northeast Indiana with high-caliber arts programming for people of all ages and abilities throughout our community.
Will you be at least 73 in 2023? You may have tax advantages for taking your IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and donating it to a Qualified Charity, such as the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Click here for more information on RMDs, and please consult with your financial professional.
Fill the Frame
The Fill the Frame Fund supports the ArtRageous Gala & Auction, our biggest fundraiser of the year! This vital fund supports all of our core mission programs, like exhibitions, education, community outreach, and facility care.
Gifts in Honor or Memory of Someone
Your tax-deductible gift to the museum in honor or memory of a loved one is a special way to make a charitable contribution.
Corporate Giving
Corporate Membership
Become a corporate member of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art! Corporate Memberships include many perks for the company and its employees.
Contact Jamie Jentgen, Director of Development Services, at [email protected] to become a corporate member.
Current Corporate Members
Sponsorship
Through a variety of meaningful partnerships, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art has presented hundreds of programs and exhibitions to thousands of people in the Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio region.
Contribute to one of the many FWMoA programs, events or exhibitions, and you can inspire deeper engagement with many diverse community members that experience our Museum.
To learn more about the benefits of sponsoring FWMoA, contact Amy Hanna at [email protected], or call (260) 422-6467.
In 2022-2023, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art was able to contribute significantly to the cultural life of our community through the generous support of many sponsors, including:
$10,000-$15,000
Partners 1st Federal Credit Union Prime Foundation
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
$5,000-$9,999
Ambassador Enterprises
DeHaven Chevrolet
Franklin Electric
McMahon’s Best One Tire and Auto Care
MKM Architecture + Design
Old National Bank
Parrish Leasing
Sweetwater Sound
The PNC Financial Services Group
$1,000-$4,999
1st Source Bank
3 Rivers Federal Credit Union
Ash Brokerage, LLC
Deister Machine Company, Inc.
Drive Alive, Inc.
Fort Wayne Metals
Franklin Electric
Gilded Owl Design LLC
Haines, Isenbarger & Skiba, LLC
Indiana Michigan Power
Indiana Tech
Jensen Cabinet, Inc.
Lake City Bank
Midwest America Federal Credit Union
Morningstar Group, Kerri Morningstar
OmniSource Corporation
One Lucky Guitar
Paint the Town Graphics
Parkview Physicians Group, Patrick Woodman
PFW
Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana, Inc.
Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne, Inc.
Pro Resources, Inc.
ProFed Credit Union
STAR Financial Bank
Thieme Society for Planned Giving
Planned Giving
A number of long-time supporters of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art have remembered us in their estate plans, and we invite you to do the same. To honor those who are planning a future gift to FWMoA, we have created a circle of friends known as the Thieme Society. Members of the Thieme Society enjoy special recognition (or anonymity) in donor publications and are invited to exclusive events at the Museum.
Theodore Thieme was a prominent businessman who owned a weaving company in Fort Wayne. He also recognized the importance of art to the community. In 1921, Thieme donated his home at 1026 West Berry Street, a collection of paintings and a generous sum of money to the Fort Wayne Art Association, thus creating the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.
Gifts large and small are essential to the long-term vitality of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. If you have a gift planned to the Museum in your will or estate, please give us a call. If not, you might consider the following benefits when making financial planning decisions.
Did you know you can:
- Support the Museum without giving cash now?
- Give to the Museum and get cash back?
- Give stock to the Museum and save income and capital gains taxes?
- Use almost any of your property to make a planned gift?
To ensure your planned gifts to FWMoA are directed properly, share our Employer Identification Number (EIN), 35-0953440, and our IRS registered name, Fort Wayne Museum of Art Inc., with your estate planning professionals.
You may also consider using the following language in your estate planning documents:
“I, _______ give, devise, and bequeath to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art (EIN #350953440) in Fort Wayne, IN _______ percent of all the rest, residual and remainder of my estate (or _________ dollars, property, securities, etc. described below) where so ever located to be used for the benefit of Fort Wayne Museum of Art in such manner as the CEO thereof may direct”
Contact us to learn more about becoming a member of the Thieme Society.
Members of the Thieme Society enjoy exclusive, private events at the Museum with CEO Charles Shepard; commemorative Thieme Society gifts; and donor recognition in our materials. Plus, naming rights are available at certain giving levels.
Members of the Thieme Society
Patricia Adsit
William B. Andrews and Vicky L. Carwein
Anonymous (x12)
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Becker
Glenn and Janellyn Borden
John and Mary Brandt
Prof. and Mrs. William E. Briegel*
Kathy Callen
Rick* and Louise Cartwright
Howard L. Chapman and Stephen L. Chapman
Arthur and Carol Cislo
Ms. Eve M. Colchin
Weston and Ellen Cutter
Michael Dobbs and Linda Binek
Sharon and Ben Eisbart
June E. Enoch*
Dr. John and Sharon Fallon
Robert and Carol Fawley
Dr. Fred C. and Mary Anna Feitler
Steve and Brenda Fishbaugh
Elizabeth A. Frederick
Herb and Carole Fuller
Linda Felger Gaff
Angela L. Green
Patricia S. Griest*
Melanie Thexton Hall
Suzanne W. Hall
Leonard Helfrich
Thomas A. Herr
Cristina Herrera
Mr. and Mrs. Scott F. Hill
Ms. Terra Hipp and Mr. Brian Miller
Bill and Ginny Johnson
Thomas Kerwin
Lisa and Duane Kiess
Mr. David Kirk and Mr. Michael Greene
Marvin* and Marva Komisarow
Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Mackel
Nancy Malis
Ed McCutcheon
William F. McNagny*
Scott A. Miller
Marita O’Neil-Maloley
Michael V. Parrott
Steve and Audrey Riley
Joan and John Ruble
Mark and Chris Rupp
Paul O. Sauerteig
Dorothy L. and Paul E. Shaffer*
Dr. Gloria Shamanoff
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Shepard III
Jay and Sandy Shumaker
Ian A. Stallings and Mary Ann Lawson
Ms. Betty E. Stein*
Mr. and Mrs. Don Steininger
Nancy Peck Stewart
Art and Karen Surguine
Scott A. Tarr and Dennis J. Greaf
Amanda and Eric Tracey
Eleanor Wallace
Virginia Lee Zimmerman
* Denotes deceased individual.
Volunteer
Docents are museum volunteers and are essential to educating the public about the diverse exhibitions on display at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, using the art as a tool to expand the minds of all who listen and learn. Leading engaging tours is a unique opportunity to work with children, heighten your mental engagement and contribute to your community. All interested individuals will be asked to complete a background check before joining the docent team.