National Museum of Women in the Arts 2023 Partnership
Upon completion of a two-year, $67.5 million renovation endeavor, The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) started an exciting journey to re-opening to the public in 2023 with several events including many executed by Linder’s team. With a Spring Fundraising Gala, a VIP Donor Dinner, and a highly anticipated public Re-Opening, Linder was more than up for the task of excitedly embarking on the journey alongside a mission-aligned organization like NMWA. The National Museum of Women in the Arts is an institution at the forefront of addressing the historical gender imbalance prevalent in the art world. Focused on highlighting women artists from different periods and promoting contemporary female artists, NMWA’s core mission revolves around honoring the artistry and creativity of women.
Spring 2023 Gala
The Mission: As the museum’s largest fundraising event, the Spring Gala celebrated a radiant evening of their mission to patrons, members, and friends. The Gala benefitted the museum’s special exhibitions and diverse education and public programming initiatives, allowing NMWA to champion women artists of the past, present, and future.
Linder knew the impact of each detail for the Spring Gala to highlight those integral to championing and supporting women in the arts. We illuminated the intentionality of branding and thematic elements throughout the evening, from menu cards adorned with art of a woman’s face, a backdrop with the NMWA namesake to provide the perfect photo opportunity for attendees, beautiful jazz entertainment provided by NYC-based band Carte Blanche, and curated menus and cocktails to celebrate the partnership with the Embassy of Italy for providing the venue. The Ambassador of Italy, Mariangela Zappia, was also the honorary Diplomatic Chair for the evening.
The Result: Attendees left refreshed by the branded evening and ready to toast the museum’s re-opening in the months to come.
VIP Donor Dinner
The Mission: To honor those pivotal stakeholders in the growth of the National Museum of Women in Arts, the VIP Donor Dinner was a perfect way to commemorate their contributions and enjoy an exclusive first look at the newly renovated museum.
.
The special program was featured in The Mars Performance Hall with First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden as the keynote speaker, who shared an inspiring message – “when women artists have a place to show their work, when they are recognized for it, the world begins to value them differently too – to listen to what they have to say.” Additionally, a surprise recognition was unveiled for the Director of NMWA, Susan Fisher Sterling, who has dedicated her life to NMWA’s mission for over 15 years. Unique elements of the beautiful evening included a museum-infused dinner in the Mezzanine, private museum tours, and powerful musical features. Grammy-award-winning Ana Maria Martinez and Craig Terry performed brilliantly during the official performance, while guests were the first to walk through the museum halls and see the results of their generous donations.
The Result: The evening inspired the attendees of their value and highlighted their individual impact in creating the re-opening.
Ribbon Cutting + Public Re-Opening
The Mission: The Re-Opening celebrated the institution’s mission among its patrons, members, and friends. This reopening significantly contributed to NMWA’s special exhibitions and diverse education and public programming initiatives, aimed at supporting women artists from the past, present, and future.
The Re-Opening commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and engaging speeches from inspiring artists, poets, and prominent female public figures. Throughout the day, the event meticulously integrated intentional branding and thematic elements. From T-shirts featuring inspiring women figures to detailed museum maps highlighting female entrepreneurs, these elements added sophistication and enjoyment to the opening, presenting a day filled with family-friendly activities appealing to all attendees. Despite the building undergoing renovations for the past 800 days, the historic venue graciously provided a stunning venue for a truly memorable event. With its grand open downstairs floor, a beautiful mezzanine level, and live music filling the spacious area at the bottom of the stairs, the event was awe-inspiring. The presence of D.C. Mayor Bowser and the local renowned African-American poet Alexa Patrick added prestige and cultural significance to the event.
The Result: The Re-Opening event introduced deliberate elements that resonated with the celebration of women in the arts. Among these were curated chocolate stands for patrons and partnerships with innovative companies that initiated conversations by offering tattoo opportunities based on new art exhibits, emphasizing support for women in the arts and the importance of legacy. Additionally, family-friendly activities like a clown balloon-making station, button making, and professional poet readings on each floor and at every new exhibit catered to attendees of all ages, making the day special for everyone!
Event Partnership Success
The partnership and collaboration between Linder and NMWA underscored the importance of aligning with partners who share similar missions, particularly in empowering women. As the first museum exclusively dedicated to celebrating women in the arts, Linder’s partnership with NMWA demonstrated a shared commitment to mutual values. Each event served as a symbol of celebration, signaling an exciting future for the museum.