Dear Friends,
My term as Chair of the Patron Program Committee is coming to an end. When I began this journey in June 2014, I was struck by the dedication of those in Development who support the Patron Program and of you, our dear members.
Over the past three years I have had the distinct pleasure of standing alongside two nationally recognized Museum leaders, Ann and Graham Gund Directors Matthew Teitelbaum and Malcolm Rogers, and of working with two highly skilled directors of Annual Programs, Laura Kaesshaefer and Julie Crites, and two adaptable and organized development associates of Annual Programs, Martina Beccari and Dane Lighthart. How often does one get to work with such a strong team? Thank you to deputy director Maria Muller for asking me to be Chair of the Patron Program Committee.
The program continues to grow in size and in stature. On average, 64 new households joined the Patron Program annually since 2014. More millennials are attending Patron events, thanks specifically to the Young Patrons subcommittee led by Emi Winterer. On April 12 Kitty Shepard and her Membership subcommittee orchestrated a special night for new Patrons. The Art of Conservation event, introduced last year, was again a resounding success. Thank you to the conservators who provided a fascinating peek into their work. This brings me to a special thank-you to all the curators who have joined our events and committee meetings. Without your support and expertise, the Patron Program would not be as stimulating and engaging as it is.
Our own Patron committee has increased by six members, with four subcommittees. Kudos go to the Programming subcommittee, headed by Vice Chair Yvette Shakespeare. They are up at the crack of dawn to get to the new flower market in Chelsea, and then they rush to the MFA to create the beautiful flower arrangements that you see at our events.
One of our goals the past few years has been to let you know how much we appreciate your support for the MFA through the Patron Program. To that end, in 2015 Azi Djazani and her Stewardship subcommittee worked with the Development office to revive this newsletter, which we hope you enjoy. I am pleased to share that Azi will assume the role of Chair of the Patron Program Committee. It was an honor working with her in her prior role and I am sure that you will find her to be engaging and welcoming to all who come through the Museum’s doors.
Thank you to each and every one of you who helped make my position as Chair of the Patron Program Committee one that I will miss. It has been a pleasure to get to know so many of you. I look forward to seeing you at future Patron events.
All the best,
Joy Kant
Chair, Patron Program Committee
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston