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A Letter from the Director
Dear Friends,
“The world is pretty dark right now, don’t you think?” a donor recently asked me.
For many reasons, we can all find truth in that. We know we’ll see darkness if we watch the news or linger on social media. But what do we see when we look around us at our friends, neighbors, and families? We probably see the people we love, and the light in their eyes.
Our job at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art is to give the people you love a beautiful, inspiring experience. One that will stir the heart, illuminate the mind, and bring light to the soul.
As the only major art museum for 100 miles and the second largest community art museum in the state, we have a big job. Our task is to use the treasures in our care to teach and delight, and hopefully shine a light in the lives of those who need it.
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. And for those who are unable to visit the Museum, our outreach programs serve over 8,000 people in places like schools, the Allen County Juvenile Center, and assisted living communities, bringing visual wonder right to them.
No matter what’s going on in the world, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art stays focused on its mission to use art for the betterment of everyone whose lives we touch. Our promise, with your help, is to do this no matter what.
I ask each of you to be a part of this mission as we seek to shine a light through the power of art. Your gifts to the 2025 Annual Fund will help thousands of people from all walks of life have art experiences—now and in the future—that illuminate their world.
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 2025? 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 Ashley Stoneburner at [email protected], or call (260) 422-6467.
In 2024-2025, 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:
$18,880
Partners 1st Federal Credit Union
$5,000-$9,999
Bill Blass Legacy
Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne
Franklin Electric
Lincoln Financial Group
Loechner Practice LLC
McMahon’s Best One Tire and Auto Care
MKM Architecture + Design
Old National Bank
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
The PNC Financial Services Group
$1,750-$4,500
Ambassador Enterprises
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Barrett McNagny
Centier Bank
Drive Alive, Inc.
Hylant Group
Indiana Tech
K&S Pallets, Inc
Lake City Bank
OmniSource
Paint the Town Graphics
Parrish Leasing
Parrish Orthodontics
Reimbold & Miller
STAR Financial Bank
Sweetwater Sound, Inc
SYM Financial Advisors
Vera Bradley
Wagner-Meinert, LLC
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 one of our first major donors who donated his home, his art collection, and $10,000 in 1921.
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.
Talk to your financial advisor about ways you can support the Museum through financial planning.
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.