In 2000, the James A. Michener Art Museum embarked upon a campaign to "secure the future". This effort will create a $5 million acquisitions and collections care endowment. When completed, it will allow the Museum to increase its pace of collecting, strengthen the collection, and keep more of the region's cultural heritage in the very region where it was created.

What is an endowment?
An endowment is a fund established within the institution that provides a predictable, independent source of income from year to year and lies in perpetuity with the James A. Michener Art Museum.

How does endowment work?
The endowed fund (the donation) is invested in accordance with the James A. Michener Art Museum's policy governing endowments. This investing creates income in the form of interest, dividends and gains. In accordance with Museum endowment spending policy, a portion of the income is spent for the purpose stated by the donor in their agreement and a portion of the income is rolled back into the endowed fund to help grow the principal. As a general rule of thumb, approximately 5.5% is available to be spent each year. (Example: $500,000 cash donation for endowment creates $27,500 in available annual income for the Museum). This policy allows for the continual growth of both principal and income and, in this way, the fund lasts in perpetuity.

Securing The Future
Museums are symbols of community pride, and Bucks County has a rich artistic tradition worthy of attention. Prior to the establishment of the James A. Michener Art Museum, that tradition was scattered across America, as many great works produced here were located in institutions and private collections around the country. Today, the Michener Art Museum stands as an institution dedicated to honoring and preserving Bucks County's creative soul by collecting, exhibiting and interpreting the art of this region.

With the help of thousands of public-spirited citizens, three capital campaigns successfully funded the construction of nearly 40,000 square feet of gallery space, public areas, storage vaults, offices and an outdoor sculpture garden. The imaginative development of the site has allowed more than 650,000 people to visit since 1988, and attendance continues to grow, reaching more than 90,000 in 1999 and 2000.

Building and maintaining a distinguished collection speaks to the very purpose of museum activity. The Michener has made progress in this area as a result of the generosity of many donors who have given financial support, works of art, and bequests.

Recently, a noteworthy painting by Martin Johnson Heade -- a major 19th century landscape and floral painter who grew up in Bucks County and is not represented in our collection -- went on the auction block. With the help of our friends, the museum was able to raise a substantial amount of money in a short amount of time, but sadly it was one of the under bidders. A New York gallery purchased the painting and, almost certainly, this significant work will end up in some other museum or private collection outside Bucks County.

The Michener Art Museum must establish an endowment if we are to continue the careful process of building the collection, and equally important, allocating the funds necessary to maintain the objects. Treatment, restoration and care must also factor into a comprehensive management plan. The general endowment is the financial bedrock that helps support the entire museum. An endowment for acquisitions and collections care will become the foundation upon which we build and care for those works entrusted to us, and develop the financial resources for short-term and long-range goals.

Community pride is a powerful force that helps to preserve the splendid character of our region, at a time when so much of Bucks County is changing rapidly. This endowment campaign will enable the museum to keep our heritage intact, to preserve the artistic richness embodied in the works of art created here, and to share with others these priceless treasures.

If art is to survive as a strong and vibrant dimension of our culture, museums must thrive. For the Michener Museum to thrive and grow, philanthropy must become an ever-increasing source of funding. Those art museums with the largest endowment coupled with an enlightened vision and sound management are the museums with the brightest future. Great art deserves a great home, and a great community deserves a great art museum. We invite you to partner with the James A. Michener Art Museum to "secure the future".

Endowment Naming Opportunities
Our mission is to build the finest collection of Pennsylvania Impressionist Paintings and to ensure that the work of all of the art of Bucks County will come home to the James A. Michener Art Museum. A gift of any size may be made to the endowment. Listed below are opportunities to name a specific fund.

• General Acquisition Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities. $1,000,000
  Provides funds for the purchase of art.

• Sculpture Acquisition Endowment.
  Two at $500,000
  Provides funds for the purchase of sculpture.

• Pennsylvania Impressionists Painters Acquisition Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities.
  $1,000,000
  Provides funds for the purchase of works of the Pennsylvania Impressionists.

• Contemporary Artists Acquisition Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities.
  $500,000.
  Provides funds for the purchase of works by contemporary Bucks County artists.

• Photography Acquisition Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities.
  $250,000.
  Provides funds for the purchase of photography.

• Works on Paper Acquisition Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities.
  $250,000.
  Provides funds for the purchase of works on paper.

• Collections Care Endowment.
  Several naming opportunities
  Collections are the heart of the Museum. Endowment funds are needed to care for and conserve the art entrusted to the Michener Museum.

  Pennsylvania Impressionists Painters Collections Care
  $150,000

  Sculpture Collections Care
  $150,000

  19th Century Art Collections Care
  $100,000

  Photography Collections Care
  $50,000

  Works on Paper Collections Care
  $50,000

• Publications Endowment.
  Provides funds to endow scholarly publications on the Pennsylvania Impressionists and other artists represented in the collection.
  $500,000.

• Research Fellowships.
  Provides funds to support a student to provide scholarly research.
  $100,000

  Pennsylvania Impressionists
  Contemporary Art
  19th Century Art

For more information on making a gift to help "secure the future" of the Michener Museum, please call Carol Nelson, Director of Advancement, at 215.340.9800 ext. 167.

	Giving Opportunities Gifts in Tribute Mari Sabusawa Michener Society Planned Giving Endowment Opportunities Exhibition Sponsorships

	Membership Corporate and Business Partners