Art worth talking about:
Artists, philanthropists, trustees, audiences, staff, and volunteers:
All are the vibrant partners and the driving force behind our explorations of innovative contemporary art.
At Franklin Street Works we value the role of artists in society. We support the dignity of the artist's labor and artistic processes by paying honoraria for commissioned artist projects, performances, and talks.
We equally value the role of our philanthropic donors, members, volunteers, and extended community who have the vision to support contemporary art, curatorial innovation, exhibitions that often examine many social justice issues today.
We do not charge admission fees because we want to serve the broadest sector of our community and work toward democratizing the visual arts. Your donation is fully tax-deductible and helps us present engaging, provocative exhibitions and programming in a welcoming environment.
A gift to Franklin Street Works’ means that you support award-winning, museum-quality contemporary art exhibitions that brings regional, national, and international talent to the region. Your support also pays for our free, educational programming that brings artists and curators for panel discussions, artist talks, film screenings and performances.
Since its founding in 2011, Franklin Street Works has collaborated with more than 350 artists, curated 25 exhibitions, and organized 130 free public programs. This work was acknowledged with two grants from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and three from Fairfield County’s Community Foundation among others. Our exhibitions have received positive reviews and features in major art publications such as Art Papers, Artforum online, Art in America online, The Huffington Post, Hyperallergic and Modern Painters.
Join us in continuing this important work!
Contributions of all sizes are welcome and important. Donations to Franklin Street Works are fully tax-deductible and all gifts are deeply appreciated!
Become a Member
Being a Franklin Street Works member means that you share in our commitment to contemporary art and that you support the work of vibrant emerging artists and inventive curatorial practices. Your membership enables us to continue to present engaging, provocative exhibitions and programming in our welcoming space. Franklin Street Works' educational programming focuses on contemporary art and social issues of our day and is integral to the organization's commitment to nurturing a caring, inclusive community. We have designed a membership program that offers some great benefits.
Individual Member: $35.00
Membership for Two: $50.00
- Franklin Street Works Tote Bag – You will receive a sturdy and attractive cotton tote bag
- Invitations to Member Meet-Ups: You will have countless opportunities to attend thematic meet-ups at Franklin Street Works and other art venues. You’ll be on the inside track of contemporary art and thinking, make new friends, and be a part of the Franklin Street Works community.
- Discounted admissions fees to any ticketed fundraisers or other paid events.
- Two original complimentary artist books, zines, or other multiples made by past exhibiting artists will be mailed to you! Many of these artists exhibit internationally and can be found in major public and private collections, including the Tate, London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- A Thank You and Membership card! Your portable artworks will be accompanied by a cheerful note of gratitude and your very own membership card from the Franklin Street Works Team.
Art Engaged Patron Membership
NEW!
As an Art Engaged member, you will be a part of one of the region’s leading membership group devoted to bringing together arts enthusiasts and unique arts experiences. Franklin Street Works has an extensive network of arts organizations, artists, and thinkers, and we will introduce you to spaces and faces in our orbit through these special events! Membership fee for the year is $250.
In addition to Franklin Street Works’ regular member perks, Art Engaged members will also enjoy these benefits: exclusive access to an exciting calendar of programs and events, including curator-led exhibition tours at museums, alternative spaces, private collections, artist studios, and more:
- Invitation for two to Patron-only exhibition cocktail receptions with a curator conversation
- Recognition on Franklin Street Works' website
- Two complimentary admission tickets to The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art
- Exclusive invitations to art outings such as curator-led exhibition tours, private visits to collectors’ homes, and artist studio visits. (Additional fees may apply). Here is our 2019 calendar, with more to come:
- MAY - Jean-Michel Basquiat at Brant NYC, MONDAY May 6, 2019
- JUNE - Claudette Schreuders at Jack Shainman’s Kinderhook, SATURDAY June 8th
- JULY - Starn Brothers Studio, Beacon New York, Date TBD
- AUGUST - Urs Fischer at The Brant, Greenwich CT, SATURDAY, Aug 10
- SEPTEMBER - Everyone Needs a Theo - Preserving an Artist’s Legacy, Date TBD
- OCTOBER - Josef & Anni Albers Foundation, Bethany CT, Date TBD
- NOVEMBER - Backstory: Art Handling Tactics and Tricks, Date TBD
- DECEMBER - FLAG Art Foundation, private collection, NYC, Date TBD
Tremendous Thanks & Gratitude to our Visionary Art Engaged Patrons
Susan Hendricks | Michael Bischoff | Roberto Chiappelloni | Sharon Chrust | Victor Cohn | Wendy Cooper | Kathryn Emmett | John Fifield | Avram Freedberg | Mark Golub | Lena Howansky | Erik Litke | Barbara Marks | Tracy McKenna | Will Nixon | Mark Nowotarski | Tom O'Connor | Kirsten Pitts | Pamela Sanders | Arthur Selkowitz | Richard Silver | Philip Strassburger | Bonnie Wattles
Volunteer
As an ambitious alternative art and social gathering space, Franklin Street Works provides an ideal opportunity for enterprising volunteers to learn the challenges and opportunities in producing top-level exhibitions and programs first-hand.
We encourage people in the community with areas of professional expertise to join us by contributing knowledge and time to our exhibitions, programs and organization. Areas of experience that are particularly helpful include:
accounting and finance | marketing/public relations | event planning | graphic design | blog and web platforms | photography | video editing and videography.
In addition to our tremendous gratitude, we will thank you for your gift of time with:
- Two original complimentary artist books, zines, or other multiples made by past exhibiting artists will be mailed to you! Many of these artists exhibit internationally and can be found in major public and private collections, including the Tate, London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
- A Thank You and Membership card! Your portable artworks will be accompanied by a cheerful note of gratitude and your very own membership card from the Franklin Street Works Team.
Corporate Support
Franklin Street Works offers Corporate Sponsors the ability to fully customize a sponsor package that meets your company’s needs. Your generosity enables us to bring nationally recognized museum-quality contemporary art to the region.
Packages include sponsorship of a specific exhibition, educational program or special event. Corporate sponsors can enjoy special access to exhibition programming, private VIP tours led by our Creative Director, and the opportunity to host parties, meetings, and events in our airy, modern gallery setting. Corporate Sponsors will be recognized in digital and printed materials.
Please call Carole Southall, Executive Director at (203) 595-5211 or email at carole@franklinstreetworks.org
Sponsors
