Long Island Museum gala backs arts in tough funding times | Long Island Business News

For the Nov. 1 Long Island Museum (LIM) winter gala, organizers are transforming its History Museum on its expansive grounds into a winter wonderland. The gala, which starts at 6:30 p.m., highlights LIM’s programs and exhibits as well as local artists, musicians, wine, food and community.

Here, attendees can enjoy an evening of cocktails, live music, dancing and a silent auction featuring local art, all to support the museum’s exhibitions and services that are experienced by more than 25,000 people annually.  This includes specialized programming and events that are designed to engage visitors of diverse ages, backgrounds and abilities by connecting them with the region’s art and history.

This year’s gala comes at a time when arts organizations are strategically navigating what experts describe as a new funding climate – one in which federal support has declined, prompting greater reliance on private donors, corporate sponsorships and community-driven initiatives to sustain programming and operations. It’s why developing a stream of fundraising initiatives that engage supporters can go a long way.

Having a historical perspective can help. Just ask Sarah Abruzzi, LIM’s co-executive director of operations.

“Over the past 86 years, the LIM has weathered many different economic climates and remains a strong and vital part of our community,” Abruzzi told LIBN. “This is possible in part because we have worked to cultivate diverse fundraising initiatives, relying on a variety of funding streams including memberships, grants, corporate support and special events such as our winter gala – which gives the community the opportunity to help support our exhibitions and programming through their attendance at this annual fundraising event, which is more important than ever this year.

“We have also prioritized the engagement of our supporters through LIM’s Visionary Society program, in which individuals, families, businesses and organizations can contribute to the museum’s mission while receiving the honor of naming a gallery, collection, object or other key feature,” Abruzzi said.

“These gifts help sustain the museum’s educational programs, exhibitions and conservation efforts, while publicly recognizing donors for their commitment to culture and the arts,” she added. “This program not only celebrates generosity but also creates a personal connection between supporters and the museum’s ongoing story.”

Highlighting the benefits that arts organizations bring to a community can resonate with donors and would-be supporters. Assisting with that effort is the Long Island Arts Alliance (LIAA). The organization hosts regular community huddles, which help leaders in the arts learn from each other, including in challenging times.

Each huddle “focuses on a different theme, from collaboration and visibility to advocacy and community impact, but because nonprofits are mission-driven, questions of sustainability are always part of the conversation,” Lauren Wagner, the LIAA’s executive director, said.

“Every programmatic or administrative decision ultimately connects back to funding,” she said. “The stronger an organization’s ability to demonstrate its impact through data, storytelling and relevance, the easier it becomes to engage supporters. That is why efforts to layer economic data from studies like AEP6 with more human-centered insights from ‘Sustaining Long Island’s Creative Spark,’ have been so important. They help arts organizations show value in ways that resonate with both corporate and individual donors.”

For LIM, hosting the gala onsite highlights the offerings of the museum, with its nine acres, three exhibition buildings and five historic structures. Also onsite are a one-room schoolhouse and a blacksmith shop, both used extensively in school programs. And while exhibitions won’t be open during the gala, the museum will engage supporters by giving attendees free passes, so they can return to the museum at their convenience.

There will be live music by Tom Manuel and The Jazz Loft All Stars, with catering by Villa Sorrento and wine by Pindar Vineyards.  Gala honorees include Barbara Gottfried and Sam Aronson, who will be recognized for their efforts on philanthropic and professional boards. And Doug Reina, an East Setauket-based artist and two-time grant recipient from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, will be honored as a patron of the arts. Emceeing the gala is Bill Evans, owner, chief meteorologist and morning show co-host for WLNG 92.1 FM in Sag Harbor and WFRM 94.5 FM in Sagaponack.

Additional information about the museum and gala are available here.