GoFundMe.com just became the newest tool put to use by the Art Museum of South Texas to raise money for upcoming exhibits, specifically one planned for Jan. 24-April 29 next year. Both the exhibit, “Retooled: Highlights from the Hechinger Collection,” and the fundraising focus on bringing in more young people, developing new art lovers, and increasing exposure and appreciation of art.
“I was drawn to this exhibit because it takes on the concept of an industry defined by toughness and ruggedness and flips it on its side with bright colors and softer edges,” said Kylie Kinnett, the 23-year-old Art Museum board member who spearheaded the GoFundMe.com campaign. “The Art Museum is trying to bring more of the community into our walls and experience the awesome exhibits we have going on.”
Kinnett’s experiment with social media is just one piece of a new approach for fundraising, a concept that was introduced to the entire board in a meeting in late August, explained Karol Stewart, coordinator of community services at the Art Museum.
“We broke the board into different teams and let them pick which exhibits they wanted,” Stewart said. “Each team takes a different approach. Some hold events; others are reaching out to family and friends.”
As one of the younger members of the board, Kinnett’s approach fits her lifestyle as a young professional in a growing community. The Corpus Christi native is managing editor of The Bend magazine and a graduate of Texas A&M University in College Station.
“Asking people for money is something I would be nervous to do, but, as a board member, I have a duty to raise money for an exhibit,” Kinnett said. “No one has done it this way before. It gives people in their 20s just starting out who can’t write a $500 check an opportunity to be involved.”
With GoFundMe.com, donors are able to give small amounts of $5, $10, or whatever they can afford, and be part of making something great happen in a community, she continued. Her goal is to raise $5,000 to be used to provide extra programming and promotion for the exhibit.
“It’s a way to be more inclusive to different demographics and backgrounds,” she said.
The exhibit reflects that diversity of age and economics.
“This is an exhibit that appeals to the local economy and small businesses,” Stewart said. “It’s all about tools, brushes, paint buckets. What you think of as ordinary becomes extraordinary. You don’t have to know anything about art to enjoy this exhibit. It appeals to everyone.”
The 42 works of art featured in “Retooled,” which includes three-dimensional pieces as well as canvases, were collected by hardware company owner John Hechinger. He wanted to display work in his headquarters that reflected what the company was all about while adding vibrancy and life to the space. Artists Walker Evans, Jim Dine, Richard Estes, Jacob Lawrence, Lucas Samaras, and others all embody “the passionate spirit of getting the job done,” Kinnett wrote on her GoFundMe.com page.
“As a member of Team Retooled, I am exhilarated for such a visionary collection to be on display at AMST and ask that you would donate any amount you can to make such a thing happen,” she continued. “Any amount helps and is going toward an amazing cause of supporting the arts! Share with your friends, family, neighbor, mailman, local barista, whomever!”
She adds as an aside that anyone donating $250 or more will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the Art Museum, but any amount is welcome.
“Every dollar counts,” Stewart agreed. “We’re hoping to bring more people into the community through this platform. It’s a great way to embrace younger generations.”
To make a donation to expand programming for this exhibit, visit GoFundMe.com.