backstory takeover: A little encore
It is takeover time at the Neuberger. I am making space for you to hear directly from some of the wonderful colleagues who help bring this place to life. Today’s backstory takeover comes from our Director of Development, Carrie Kahn Bianchi. Thank you to the staff who have contributed and to you for reading.
We decided to keep the spirit of Giving Tuesday going for one more day. Call it Giving Wednesday. Call it a little encore. Mostly, it is a reason for me to step into this space and share why your support means so much to us at the Neuberger.
One of the things I love most about this Museum is how open it feels. Students drop in between classes for coffee and an art break. Neighbors arrive with curiosity. Families wander through the galleries and settle into conversations sparked by what they see. None of these experiences require a ticket. That is intentional. It is part of how we serve our community.
So today, on this Giving Wednesday, I want to share a simple truth. Your support is the reason we can keep our doors open to everyone. Your gift, at any level, strengthens the programs and exhibitions that connect people through art. It creates the kind of moments that stay with visitors long after they leave campus. A thoughtful conversation. An unexpected spark of recognition. A visitor realizing that art has something to say to them.
What you may not see is the work behind the scenes that makes these moments possible. We care for a collection of more than six thousand works. We prepare our galleries for each exhibition. We create programs that invite people to slow down, look closely, and think widely. This year, that work has required a little more care and a lot more creativity as state and federal funding continue to shrink.
If the Neuberger has been part of your year in any meaningful way, I hope you will consider making a year-end gift or renewing your membership. Membership offers benefits such as free parking and reciprocal admission to partner institutions, but at its heart it is another way of sustaining the Museum so that every visitor can experience art without barriers. Membership makes a wonderful gift, too.
Thank you for being part of our story and for helping us share the power of art with the whole community. I am wishing you a wonderful start to the holiday season and a bright new year ahead.
With gratitude for your engagement and support!
— Carrie Kahn Bianchi
