Programs Sponsored by The Brooks Museum League

1.  Mid-South Scholastic Art Competition Award Program

(Target Group/Mid-South High School Students):  

This program is one of the major ones the Brooks Museum League sponsors along with the Memphis Brooks Museum. It reaches out to thousands of students and teachers in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Presently, students digitally submit their work juried by local artists and art educators. Cash prizes and scholarships from area colleges and art schools are awarded to winners in several areas. A select group of winners on the local level has their work submitted to the national competition in New York after the local competition. On this national level in 2012, these Mid-South winners received nine gold medals, five silver medals, and an American Vision Award (There were 4,000 applicants for this latter award.) Many League volunteers work on this program that includes helping with the organization and exhibiting of the art work, hosting and seating three award programs for winners and their families, and assisting with a reception. Additional funds are needed to add to the donations from League members who are asked to assist with the cash prize awards and expenses of this program. Additionally, the League would like to help fund some of the travel expenses of the national winners who are recognized in New York. This year’s exhibition of winners will be January 26—February 17, 2013 at the Brooks Museum of Art. 

2.  Tea and Tour (Target Group/ Seniors):

Our seniors program occurs four to five times a year and reaches approximately 300 persons from local areas.   It provides an opportunity for senior citizens to visit the museum for a nominal fee of $3.00, with free admission for museum members. They receive a docent-led tour of a special exhibition followed by tea, cookies, and finger sandwiches prepared by the Brushmark Restaurant in the Museum. Volunteers from the League help welcome and serve the refreshments. Because of the increased costs for food and beverages and the amount we have budgeted for this program, we are now experiencing challenges in meeting the needs of the growing numbers of seniors who are served. Additional funds would help with this expense for Tea and Tour.

3.  Landscaping and “The Little Helpers” (Target Group/ School Age Youths):

Several times during the year, the League volunteers help with planting and working on the Museum grounds because of the need for assuring that a cultural institution of celebrated art, exhibitions, and programs exist in an aesthetically pleasing environment.  This type of enhancement has its high costs for maintenance despite funds the museum may have in this category.  Thus, the League has provided additional funds for maintenance of the grounds, and our budget for this is always challenged, cutting short the plants and labor this provision requires.  More importantly, we have entered into a collaborative to work with young museum volunteers who are referred to as the “ Little Helpers.”  They will meet with the Landscaping chair and volunteers for brief gardening and planting instructions followed by planting activities. The League is very proud of embracing this group of young people in our landscaping project, which begins Saturday, November 10, 2012. 

4.  Celebrities on Canvas:

This is one of the major fundraiser programs sponsored by the League.  It began in 2011, continued in 2012, and targets prominent community leaders who are nonartists and are asked to submit a work of art for a silent auction held at the museum.  These “celebrities” are paired with local artist volunteers who mentor them throughout the process.  All art supplies are provided by the League for approximately 35 participants.  A very minimal amount of seed money is available for this $75 per person event; in addition, the League solicits corporate and private sponsorships along with contributions from League members, to assist with the expenditures for Celebrities on Canvas. The amount raised at this event is used to help with the needs of the museum as designated by the executive staff. This year’s fundraiser resulted in the league contributing $10,000 for the funding of the museum’s new entrance structure, which was in need of reconstruction and repair.

5.  The Decorator’s Show House:

This major fundraiser began in 1972 and served as the primary fund raising event.  Local designers transform a residence into a magnificent showplace.  League members contribute countless hours of work: from obtaining the show house, selecting area designers and landscapers, serving as room and luncheon hostesses, and obtaining sponsors and contributors.  This is a huge and economically challenging undertaking in which $15 tickets are sold for a community viewing of the show house for three weeks.  The League contributed $20,000 from the Show House fundraiser to assist in the funding of the past French Impressionist Exhibit at the museum.  We are presently planning this fundraiser for Spring, 2013.