HISTORY
In
July of 1997 NationsBank, now Bank of America, announced an
unprecedented gift to the Mint Museum of Art, totaling 10.5 million
dollars. This historic contribution, including real estate and upfit
costs, provided for the development of the Mint Museum of Craft +
Design, which initially opened in January 1999, in the old Montaldo’s
building on North Tryon Street.
Shortly thereafter, the Museum invited a group of collectors and art
administrators to Charlotte to explore with its staff the feasibility
of establishing a national patron's group. Foremost on the itinerary
for the Museum's special guests was a wide-ranging exploratory
conversation with museum personnel on the subject of forming a national
patrons' group. At the close of the weekend long series of meetings,
the decision was made to form the Founders' Circle Ltd.
The
Museum was launched with a remarkable opening gift from the charter
group of Founders' Circle Ltd. About Amembers. Every member of the
group made
a
cash contribution to join the Founders' Circle Ltd. and contributed one
or
more pieces to the Museum. Many who were not collectors but who
nevertheless wanted to participate in the Museum's development
contributed cash to facilitate acquisitions. The result was the
February 26th, 2000 opening of An
Inaugural Gift: The Founders' Circle
Ltd. Collection exhibition, featuring 53 works of art that met
with rave
reviews. A catalogue commemorating these permanent collection items
confirms the extraordinary quality of the collection.
A 501(c)(3)
organization, the Founders' Circle Ltd. operates under an agreement
with The
Mint Museum that assures all net operating income from the Founders'
Circle goes directly to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design. Today, the
MMC+D is enjoying acclaim; and, the Founders' Circle contributions to
both the collection and exhibition sponsorship have played a major role
in achieving that acclaim.
Travel
and education are the mainstays of the organization. The offerings
range from U.S.-based craft exhibitions to visits to private
collections,
artist's studios and embassy receptions. Founders' Circle Ltd. members
have
shared dinner conversations with museum professionals, craft experts
and craft makers in Prague, London, Boston, Santa Fe, Seattle and
Australia, to name a few of the places visited. Our private collections
and the collection of the MMC+D reflect these destinations and the
extraordinary access to craft our travel adventures afford.
Over ten years of working and playing together have brought
accomplishment,
memorable adventures, exciting discoveries and most importantly,
remarkable friendships. Our greatest asset is our membership with our
members' passion for and knowledge of the international craft world.
Founders'
Circle Ltd. collections, relationships with artists, museum
affiliations and
patronage of galleries create an energy and environment of enthusiastic
learning and inclusion that benefits the Mint Museum of Craft + Design
and makes our time together vibrant, informed and fun!
As we embark on a new decade in the larger
new Mint Museum Uptown on South Tryon Street, The Founders’ Circle
Ltd. continues its tradition of camaraderie, education and fun as the
national support affiliate of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design.
We welcome aspiring collectors, seasoned experts, accomplished
artists, craft-art galleries, and the craft-curious.
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OUR
MISSION
The
Founders' Circle Ltd. partners with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design
to
promote appreciation of contemporary craft and design.
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