After a lot of research and thought, the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art have developed a new membership structure that will begin phasing in July 1, in a multistage process.
Essentially, the monies received from membership at the student, individual, senior individual, senior couple and family levels do not cover the cost of the benefits currently offered at those levels. At the same time, the Friends have long had a desire to move into the digital era to increase the number of people engaged with the museum and to become more environmentally friendly. This new plan allows the museum and the Friends to do both. Our local and statewide community will be able to become engaged with the museum at one of three levels that fit their desired involvement: Friend of the Museum, Friend + Supporter or Friend + Contributing Member.
Becoming a Friend of the Museum will be an option at no cost to you (although, of course, if you want to contribute to the museum’s annual fund, we encourage you to do so). Friends will receive digital communications of event invitations and Facet, as well as discounts on admission to receptions and events. You’ll also still be able to pick up a print copy of Facet in the museum or around Athens. You may sign up to be a Friend at jointhemuseum.info. If you donate in an amount less than $125 in a fiscal year, you will be a considered a Friend + Supporter of the museum and cumulative contributions in a fiscal year will be counted toward becoming a Friend + Contributing Member.
Annual Contributing-level memberships begin at $125 and include many of the benefits members currently enjoy, including print versions of invitations and Facet mailed to your home (as well as digital versions emailed to you). Additional benefits for Friend + Contributing Members include dual memberships (two adults and all children 18 and under at the same address), no charge for admission to quarterly 90 Carlton receptions, reduced charge for other receptions and events, reciprocal membership discounts and privileges at more than 1,000 museums throughout the United States and Canada, a discount of 10 percent in the Museum Shop and a membership card or cards.
Understandably, our members have had a lot of questions during this transition, and no doubt you do, too. Here are some of common questions that have come up so far:
Will you still have a senior level in the new system?
No. The new membership format phases out the current Student, Senior Individual, Individual, Senior Couple and Family levels. We hope that the free Friend of the Museum level that includes digital communications will enable us to reach even more students, seniors and families so they can become more aware of all of the great exhibitions, programs and events at the museum, many of which are free.
I’ll really miss receiving Facet in my mailbox. 🙁
We understand! We think this award-winning publication is beautiful and informative, but the costs of printing and mailing it quarterly add up quickly. That’s why we are still offering it in a digital format to anyone who signs up at any of the Friend levels. You’ll also still be able to pick up a print copy for free at the museum or at numerous locations around Athens, including the Welcome Center and Classic Center.
How much will receptions and events cost?
We are increasing the ticket prices for 90 Carlton receptions to $15 per person for people who are Not Yet Friends and $10 for people who are Friends of the Museum and Friends + Supporter but not yet contributing members. Friend + Contributing Members may attend 90 Carlton at no charge.
What if I want to donate to the museum but can’t afford $125 a year?
We are appreciative of contributions in any amount and will recognize you as a supporter as well as a Friend (Friend + Supporter) for any contribution of a dollar or more. In addition, we will track contributions cumulatively throughout the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) and if they reach $125, we will automatically extend you for the equivalent contributing level membership (Friend + Contributing Member). We’re also finalizing the ability to set up monthly payroll deductions or pledge contributions, allowing you to spread your annual giving and/or membership costs out throughout the year.
If I choose to be a Friend + Contributing Member how many cards do I get for my membership? How many people do memberships cover?
All contributing membership levels ($125 and above) include two adults and all children 18 and under at a single address. That means two membership cards, free admission to 90 Carlton receptions for all of those folks, as well as discounts on admission to other museum events and in the Museum Shop.
How does this change help the museum financially when becoming a Friend of the Museum will now be free?
We want you to stay involved, but we also want to maintain free admission for all and the level of programming for students and the community that we are currently providing. Making the Friend of the Museum category open to all allows us to expand the number of people that become affiliated with the museum. Revising the associated benefits lets us cut costs. It is a model that has worked well at other university museums, and we believe it will work here. We are so grateful for all the support you have given over the years.
When does this change go into effect?
We are starting the transition this summer as we promote the new structure to incoming students at orientation. Current members are grandfathered in for an additional year of benefits when they renew their memberships through the end of 2019. We expect to have our current members transitioned to the new system by December 2020. The new ticket prices will be in place for 90 Carlton: Summer, on July 19, but current members will still get in at no cost as their benefits will be grandfathered in until their first renewal under the new format.
If you have any further questions about the new membership options, you may contact us at jointhemuseum@uga.edu or 706.542.0830.
