Media Contacts
Lynette Nyman, (612) 870-3173, lnyman@artsmia.org
Tammy Pleshek, (612) 870-3171, tpleshek@artsmia.org
MINNEAPOLIS INSTITUTE OF ARTS LAUNCHES THE CIRCLE,
A NEW MEMBERSHIP GROUP FOR YOUNG ART PATRONS
Copacabana MIA: A Brazilian Bash Under The Stars Kick-off Party
will feature a DJ, Live Samba Music and Hosted Bar On Saturday, August 26
Minneapolis, MN, August 14, 2006—The Minneapolis Institute of Art is launching a new membership initiative for young art patrons. The Circle provides people between ages twenty-one and forty-four who have an interest in the arts a chance to experience art, meet new people, and connect with the museum. The Circle offers fun and creative events, including visits to artists’ studios, local private collections, and special ‘behind-the-scenes’ access to the MIA. Membership includes tickets to monthly events and discount admission to an annual party for The Circle members and guests.
“The MIA has a huge amount to offer, from ancient Egyptian sculptures to the art of Damien Hirst,” said William Griswold, director and president of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. “The Circle gives us the opportunity to introduce the next generation of visitors, members, artists, and community leaders to this incredible resource with great programs designed for—and by—young people. We’ve got a terrific steering committee and hope to involve a large cross-section of the community.”
“I think a lot of young people are interested in art, but don’t know where to begin, or find it intimidating,” said Eric Dayton, MIA trustee and co-chair of The Circle. “The Circle will connect its members with both the MIA’s incredible collection and the dynamic local art scene in a way that’s social and fun, but also meaningful.”
First up is Copacabana MIA: A Brazilian Bash under the Stars on Saturday, August 26, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Copacabana MIA will feature a DJ, Samba music, and a hosted bar with caipirinhas and mojitos. Both members and nonmembers are invited.
“The Circle kick-off party is a great opportunity to introduce more people to the MIA who may not yet have a relationship with the museum,” said Tamrah Schaller O’Neil, MIA trustee and co-chair of The Circle. “I hope they come to meet their friends, have a great time, and find themselves staying for the art.” The Circle steering committee also includes Blythe Brenden, Rachel Goldenberg, Chris Malstead, and Betsy Steiner.
Copacabana MIA tickets for nonmembers are $45. New members can join The Circle for $100 for a 1-year individual membership and one ticket to the Copacabana MIA kick-off party; or $175 for a +1 membership and two tickets to the kick-off party. Copacabana MIA tickets are available online at www.artsmia.org/thecircle. For questions, please call The Circle at (612) 870-6337 or email thecircle@artsmia.org.
Target is the exclusive sponsor of The Circle.
About the Minneapolis Institute of Art
The Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA), home to one of the finest encyclopedic art collections in the country, houses nearly 100,000 works of art representing more than 5,000 years of world history. Highlights of the permanent collection include European masterworks by Rembrandt, Poussin, and van Gogh; modern and contemporary paintings and sculpture by Picasso, Matisse, Mondrian, Stella, and Close; as well as internationally significant collections of decorative arts, Modernist design, photographs, and Asian, African, and Native American art.
General admission is always free. Some special exhibitions have a nominal admission fee. Museum hours: Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Closed Monday. For additional information, call (612) 870-3131 or visit www.artsmia.org.
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