During its 9th Annual Art Blitz in September, Art Barn School of Art launched a new membership program. Those who join will deepen their relationship with Art Barn while receiving exclusive benefits with a minimum investment of $40. Income generated from member fees will fund Art Barn's Annual Giving campaign. Membership ultimately helps Art Barn strengthen its capacity to serve artists, students, visitors, volunteers and staff and to provide a welcoming and safe space for people of all ages and abilities.
Executive Director Amy Davis Navardauskas states, "Operational funds are the most difficult to raise because they are not designated for flashy programs that create those compelling stories of impact. However, annual giving is critically important because it provides the foundation that supports those programs—that pays our dedicated staff, lights our classrooms and gallery, and maintains our facilities and grounds which creates welcoming and safe spaces for everyone."
Membership will operate on a calendar year basis from January 1 through December 31. Those who join this October will receive a special opportunity: nearly three months of free benefits that won't expire until the end of 2026. Every new member will receive an official Art Barn Membership Card, an Art Barn tote bag, a digital quarterly newsletter, 10% off one class per trimester, exclusive emails and mailings about Art Barn programs and events, one admission to Member Appreciation Night/Annual Meeting, and early access to select events and exhibits.
Artist level members will also receive free access to Art Barn's weekly Tuesday Open Studio, a free third entry to Art Barn's prestigious Juried Art Exhibition, and artists will also be able to sell their work in Art Barn's gallery with a 70/30 profit split on consignment sales (the non-member profit split is 60/40).
Dual level members will receive all Artist level benefits for two members in a household, but instead of having a free third entry for the Juried Art Exhibition, they will receive five activity tickets to Art Blitz each.
By joining at the Sustainer and Barn Raiser levels, members will receive an exciting benefit of reciprocal admission through the North American Reciprocal Museum Association (NARM), which is a network of nearly 1,500 cultural institutions that offer reciprocal member benefits. This means that Sustainer or Barn Raiser level members gain free or discounted admission to a wide variety of locations locally and across North America including the Chicago Architecture Center, the Driehaus Museum, South Shore Arts and Krasl Art Center. This level of membership will also receive a 10% discount on all purchases made in Art Barn's gallery, with Barn Raisers also having the ability to purchase two tickets to Art Barn's annual Gala fundraiser at a 20% discount. Marketing Manager Agia Amezcua-Bone states, "Our NARM benefit that Sustainer and Barn Raiser members receive is a really great opportunity for those who seek out cultural experiences when they vacation and travel."
Art Barn is thrilled to welcome our community into this new program and to build even more meaningful connections with its members.
Becoming a member is simple. Please visit our website at https://www.artbarnschool.org/membership or call our office at 219-462-9009.
ABOUT ART BARN SCHOOL OF ART:
Art Barn offers a diverse range of programs, including adult & youth classes, community workshops, and guest artist workshops, fostering creativity, diversity, and connection. Art Barn hosts an annual Juried Art Exhibition in June that recognizes the creation of original quality 2-D works of art, as well as ceramics. The exhibition, with a 30-year history, attracts 400+ entries from aspiring and established artists from the region and nation. The mission of the Art Barn School of Art is to inspire creativity across generations by providing an inclusive, nature-based space where artists of all skill levels can explore, experiment and grow through t