ANNUAL FUND

Director's Annual Appeal

Dear Friends of the UAM:

It’s that season of the year when thoughts turn to celebration, gifts, and giving thanks. I am sitting in my office thinking about the many reasons we have for gratitude. We started 2011 with a remarkable exhibition from the extensive contemporary collection of Michael and Sirje Gold; we participated in the campus-wide cultural program, Banned, Blacklisted, and Boycotted: Censorship and the Response to it; we presented a significant array of lectures, receptions, and school programs for the community; we are enjoying notable success with our project Peace Press Graphics 1967 – 1987: Art in the Pursuit of Social Change and the museum’s partnership in the Getty initiative, Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945 – 1980. In 2012, we are looking forward to exciting installations by musician/artist Lou Reed and photographer Rhona Bitner.

The UAM couldn’t present these quality programs without our dedicated staff. I am grateful for a group of enthusiastic people who work tirelessly to design and implement the programs that have brought the UAM its reputation for meaningful contemporary projects. Our professional staff brings many years of expertise to the tasks of creating exhibitions and presenting education programs. It is our students, however, who keep the museum running smoothly by serving as receptionists, gallery attendants, installers, office support, and working on special events. As part of an institution of higher education, our mission is to offer the students who work with us a positive and productive experience that will advance their personal career goals.

Because of our students, we are making a special request with this year-end letter. The California economic crisis has led to the diminishment of our student assistant budget. We cannot offer positions to students with a strong interest in museum work, who don’t benefit from the Federal Financial Aid program. We would like to rectify this circumstance by creating two fellowships in the Curatorial and Education Departments at the UAM. The UAM Curatorial and Education Fellows will be selected through their grades, accomplishments, and professor recommendations (not dependent only on financial need). They would work closely with the professional staff in developing exhibitions, interpretive programs, researching for publications, and training docent volunteers. By creating a competitive fellowship, we not only provide the opportunity to have an exciting work experience, but offer an award that can contribute to a student’s career resume. A full year fellowship would cost $9,600; a semester fellowship is $4,800. With your year-end contribution, we can build this fund and offer fellowships as soon as there is sufficient support. Please download and complete the contribution form. If you have questions about this or any of our other programs, please do not hesitate to contact me (562) 985-7606 or e-mail chris.scoates@csulb.edu or our associate director, Ilee Kaplan (562) 985-7603 or e-mail ilee.kaplan@csulb.edu.

The university provides funds for the professional staff and to maintain the museum building. We must raise everything else. Donors like you help us serve our community in the best way possible. I am grateful for the generosity of our friends through the years and hope you will be able to continue to support contemporary art and the education of CSULB students. I look forward to sharing many of our future projects with you and your family.

With best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and warmest regards,

Christopher Scoates
UAM Director

Help fund two student fellowships in the Curatorial and Education Departments at the UAM!