About the Campaign
As West Michigan continues to expand and thrive, so have the interests, needs, and expectations of our community. The campaign will allow GRAM to make needed facility improvements, provide exciting new offerings, and strengthen our operating endowment.
Your gift will help us use the power of art to lead and inspire our region to become one of the most creative and imaginative communities in the world. Together, let’s Imagine…
More Choices for audiences who find their own sense of meaning with GRAM’s walls.
More Education for visitors of all ages who crave hands-on creative and learning experiences.
More Inclusion providing inspiring spaces that speak to the experiences of all guests.
“
I was blown away by GRAM. There are few field trip opportunities for high school students, and even fewer that are actually meaningful. My students shared that the photography from the exhibition was really powerful. They also loved creating the instruments.
— Tiana Deforest, Zeeland East High School
Campaign Progress
Our fundraising goal for the campaign is within reach. We are currently just over 75% of the way there and an anonymous donor will match all gifts up to $300,000 to help us reach our goal.
Will you join us as we Imagine More for our region?
Improved Facilities
Early gifts to the Imagine More Campaign helped us create the new Creative Learning Center. This interactive space open during Museum hours has provided increased capacity to serve more people than ever before through summer art camps, school field trips, artmaking experiences, and more.
A previously underutilized Museum Library was transformed into “The Blank Space,” an experimental gallery space that displays and celebrates local creativity and spurs community dialogue through inclusive art experiences.
Vital capital improvements have been made throughout the facility, including an accessibility ramp in the Cook Auditorium, a larger elevator, a more energy-efficient building HVAC System, and needed repairs to public spaces like the Museum Lobby and main staircase.
GRAM’s building is a downtown anchor bringing creative activities, social gatherings, and moments of inspiration to our community. The needs of this extraordinary facility are ever changing, and your support can ensure that we continue to make the necessary upgrades required.
Exceptional Programming
Your gift to the campaign will enable the Museum to present dynamic offerings that center GRAM as a hub for creativity and community engagement, including an art and meditation series, artist markets, an expanded professional learning program for preK-12 teachers, and community conversations featuring speakers from a diverse range of community organizations.
Support More Programs Like These
Community Conversations
Community Engagement
Artist Markets
Educator Professional Development
Health and Wellness
Strengthened Endowment
Among American museums, revenue from endowment funds provides, on average, 22% of operating expenses. For GRAM, just 11% of the operating budget comes from endowment revenue.
A strengthened endowment will have a stabilizing influence, providing an assured source of year-after-year revenue. Endowment relieves pressure on annual fundraising and reduces the risk that comes from inconsistent giving patterns, enabling GRAM to direct its resources and energies to its core mission and programs.
