The employees of the Queens Museum of Art (QMA) decided to do something different this year to raise money in a bad economy by having an online “non-gala.”
The strictly-online fundraising campaign is a spin off of what President Barack Obama did during his run for office. It allows people to give smaller donations, making it easier for more individuals to donate.
“I have to say people have been really positive about it and really encouraging,” said Jodi Hanel, the QMA’s Director of Development and non-gala coordinator.
Included on the site are video clips about the museum’s program.
Site visitors can also learn more about the non-gala’s honorees. One of the honorees is Sigmund “Sig” Balka, who is Chair of QMA’s Board of Trustees’ Exhibitions and Acquisitions Committee.
Balka, a resident of Forest Hills, has long been active in the world of art, having curated exhibitions and donated pieces to museums. He has also served on the board of directors for various cultural institutions and has been active in many different organizations.
Members of the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly are also being honored. So far, the list includes Assemblymembers Jeffrion L. Aubry, Michael Den Dekker, Michael N. Gianaris, Andrew Hevesi, Grace Meng, Catherine Nolan, Audrey Pheffer and Mark Weprin and Senators Frank Padavan and Toby Ann Stavisky.
Hanel said that one of the challenges the museum faced while putting the non-gala together was thinking creatively to see what it could offer people as incentives. The museum is doing a raffle that includes one-year “ownership” of the Panorama’s Statue of Liberty, two tickets to the Broadway show “Hair,” two tickets to a Mets game and $100 in concessions and a pair of diamond earrings.
“The prizes are very diverse,” Hanel said.
Another idea that the museum came up with was to hold a one-night-only event on June 30, which those who made contributions will be able to access online.
Notification about the non-gala went out last week. In just the first few days, there were 2,600 visitors and about $54,000 had been raised. Hanel said that the museum’s goal is to raise $80,000.
“It’s been great,” she said.
Along with receiving many donations from the QMA’s board and advisory committees, Hanel said that they have received support from many new individuals, including ones from all over the country.
Hanel said that another goal for the non-gala is to have 100 percent of the donations go toward supporting programming at the museum.
The QMA’s non-gala web site is www.qmanongala.org. Those with questions or who would like more information can contact Hanel at jhanel@queensmuseum.org.
