Join & Give
Your gift brings the museum to life. Donations allow us to keep works of art public free of charge, and your tax-deductible contributions keep the Museum alive and vibrant with programming, exhibitions, and outreach activities and allow art and artists to remain a vibrant source of inspiration for the people of the Wabash Valley. Thank you for your support.
Become a Member
Memberships provide the foundational and unrestricted support for the museum and extend Sheldon’s Legacy by offering free access to other museums.
Members Help to Support
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An organization that serves the creative interests of its communities by fostering exploration of art.
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One of the first accredited museums in Indiana. The Swope has been continuously accredited since 1972.
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An organization committed to creating positive visitor experiences for our broadening audiences.
Member Benefits
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Invitations to museum events and exhibitions.
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10% discount on merchandise and Summer Art Studio sessions.
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Advance notice of special events and programs.
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Reduced admission to selected events.
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Recognition in the Swope’s annual report.
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Invitations to join the Swope affiliate groups and further explore your art interest through planned social and educational activities.
Gift memberships are perfect for friends and family. Purchase gift memberships by phone by calling 812.238.1676 ext. 137.
Sustaining $125
Receive the benefits of a Dual/Family Membership, plus reciprocal benefits at over 1,500 cultural institutions nationwide, plus Canada, El Salvador, Mexico and Bermuda through the Swope’s three reciprocal affiliations. Support your Museum while discovering others! Find out which museums are included by clicking the links below:
Individual $40
Receive all the membership benefits for one adult for less than $5 a month.
Dual/Family $65
Receive all the membership benefits for two adults and children or grandchildren 17 and under. Spend fun, educational and affordable time with your family while supporting the Swope’s mission.
Sponsor $250
Experience the benefits of a Sustaining Membership. Get the most out of your membership by making the Swope your destination for educational and engaging events and receive recognition on the annual donation wall plaque in the Museum.
Patron $500
Enjoy the benefits of Sponsor Membership plus exclusive invites to selected exhibitions. Be a member while being a philanthropist as well. Receive an annual supplement to the newsletter.
Benefactor $1,000
Enjoy all benefits through the Sponsor level and receive an invitation to an exclusive reception at a private residence. Share your enjoyment of the Swope by offering a friend or family member a complimentary gift membership.
Director's Circle $2,500
Support the Swope at this highest level of philanthropic giving, and in addition to all benefits through the Benefactor level, enjoy a private tour of a selected exhibition conducted by the Executive Director.
Sponsorship
Sponsorships are gifts that underwrite specific exhibitions, programs and activities.
Interested in sponsoring an exhibition or program? Or want to know how you can make a big impact at the Swope? Contact our Assitant Director of Development, Sara McCarthy, at mccarthy@swope.org
Sheldon's Legacy
While free admission to the Swope Art Museum opens doors to many who might not be able to pay for an art museum visit, it does remove one source of guaranteed income for the Museum. The Swope serves more people, but together we must also raise more money.
This is a trade-off that has happily been made since 1942. We believe that Sheldon Swope’s free-to-all policy has opened our doors to generations of families and children who otherwise might not be able to be frequent visitors to our esteemed collection. The Swope has extended free admission to the weekly Art Start program for children 2-5 years of age. Every Tuesday during the school year, the Education Center hums with the energy of kids enjoying making art!
When they enter school and start taking classes, some have works entered in the Annual Student Art Exhibition featuring works from elementary, middle school and high school. And each year, all fifth-grade students in the Vigo County School System come to the Swope to see this exhibition, as well as the Swope’s permanent collection.
But of course, we learn in life that nothing is really free. Each year the Swope must ask you for support to ensure that free admission to the Museum and the programming offered each week may continue.