WAC | General Information | Director's Circle Membership

Director's Circle Membership

The Walker Art Center relies on the community it serves to provide the funds for operating support and to ensure a balanced budget. Director's Circle contributions--annual gifts of $1,500 and more--make it possible for the Walker to maintain its eminent position among leading cultural institutions worldwide. Thanks to the generosity of Director's Circle members, the Walker continues to be the highest attended museum in our region--more than 930,000 visitors enjoyed the Garden and galleries last year. Most importantly, Director's Circle members enable the museum to offer exceptional visual art exhibitions, showcase hundreds of programs in film and the performing arts, and provide exciting educational programs to people of all ages.

Director's Circle Membership Benefits

Members of the Director's Circle receive the same benefits as members who contribute up to $1,499, including free admission to the Walker's galleries, a Walker calender subscription, discounts at the fabulous Walker Art Center Shops, reciprocal benefits with more than 87 museums nationwide, free admission to Contemporary Arts Forum classes, and substantial discounts to most Walker education, performance, and film/video programs. See the Benefits Table for a complete list of benefits that are exclusive to members of the Director's circle.

Travel Opportunities with the Director and Curators
The exclusive Director's Circle Travel Program enables members to see remarkable private collections and museums outside the Twin Cities, with both the director of the Walker and a curator. During the past five years, Director's Circle members have traveled to San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

Jessica Lange
Regis Filmmaker's Dialogue guest

Special Events with Artists
During the past few years, Director's Circle members have been invited to special receptions and dinners for some of the most innovative artists of our time, including poet Allen Ginsberg, actor Tom Hanks, actress Jessica Lange, director Spike Lee, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi, choreographer-dancers Bill T. Jones and Mark Morris, author Dr. Oliver Sacks, composer Philip Glass, and visual artists Ellsworth Kelly, Claes Oldenberg, Frank Stella, and Sigmar Polke.

Recognition on Printed Materials
Director's Circle members are acknowledged in the Walker's Annual Report, received by more than 2,000 individuals, foundations, and corporations worldwide; in the Director's Circle brochure, sent to more than 400 people locally; and on the lobby donor panel, viewed by more than 1.5 million Walker and Guthrie Theater visitors annually.

Director's Circle Benefits Table

Kathy Halbreich, Joan and Walter Mondale, Ken Tyler

Director's Circle members attend dinners
with visual artists from around the globe.
Walker Director Kathy Halbreich (left) is
pictured here with Ken Tyler of Tyler
Graphics and Joan and Walter Mondale at
the opening of the exhibition Frank Stella
at Tyler Graphics.

Director's Circle members are invited to
special receptions with artists such as
Tom Hanks, who participated in a Regis
Filmmaker's Dialogue at the Walker.

Fellow $1,500-$2,499: All the regular benefits of membership, plus:
Invitations to special Director's Circle receptions and dinners with artists and curators
Invitations to exclusive Director's Circle trips with the Walker director and curators
A 10% discount at the Gallery 8 Restaurant, informal dining with a spectacular view
Recognition in the Director's Circle brochure
Benefactor $2,500-$4,999: All of the above, plus:
The opportunity to schedule VIP behind-the-scenes tours of the museum for your friends and family
Guarantor $5,000-$7,499: All of the above, plus:
Personal shopping services at the Walker Art Center Shops in the museum and at the Galleria
Free admission to an adult education lecture
Major Supporter $7,500-$9,999: All of the above, plus:
A 25% discount when renting the museum's public spaces and meeting rooms for private parties, meetings, or receptions
Major Partner $10,000-$14,999: All of the above, plus:
An invitation to a special recent-acquisitions reception/event with the Director
Major Sustainer $15,000-$24,999: All of the above, plus:
Personal ticket assistance for exhibitions at museums throughout the United States
Leader $25,000 and above: All of the above, plus:
The opportunity to be recognized for sponsoring a special museum program or exhibition with acknowledgment in the gallery and in related print materials.

More Information

For information about becoming a Director's or Legacy Circle member, please contact Masami Kawazato at 612.375.7641 or e-mail masami.kawazato@walkerart.org.