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The Monuments Men Foundation is excited to announce its first ever membership program, which provides a way for its readers and followers to support the mission while also being more involved with its activities. Memberships help support the ongoing research on each Monuments Man and Woman, underwrite the cost of educational programming for local and international communities, facilitate the return of stolen works of art and cultural objects to their rightful owners, and enable the Foundation to continue to raise public awareness among political and military leaders worldwide about the importance of preserving our shared cultural heritage.
Newly designed merchandise and opportunities have been carefully created, including logoed coasters, notecards and cashmere travel wraps. However, it was important for us to offer to all our members, regardless of level, something unique. Education has been part and parcel of our efforts while also strengthening the ties between the Foundation and the hundreds of institutions across the US and globally that have not only a mere connection with these heroes of civilization, but have directly benefitted from their art recovery efforts or personal skills and expertise.
As a result, we created a Monuments Men and Women Museum Network meant to gather under the same umbrella all institutions that share this proud chapter of their history. We hope that the network will grow to include more than 50 institutions in the United States and, in the months to come, several major institutions abroad. Eric Lee, Director of the Kimbell Art Museum, said, “The Kimbell is honored to partner with the Monuments Men Foundation and its membership program supporting the Foundation’s important mission of restitution, education, and preservation.” While discussions with museums have progressed slower than anticipated due to COVID closures, we are excited of the overall enthusiastic response we have received.
Our Supporter Circle categories are designed to offer members the opportunity to get an exclusive insight into the Foundation's work, through the subscription of our quarterly newsletter to be delivered directly in your mailbox, a once a year webinar with the Foundation's staff (date and topic to be announced), and online access to restitution ceremonies. A large portion of the membership funds will be destined to supporting our research to illuminate the path home for cultural objects that are still missing since the end of the war, and we believe it's only right to allow members to participate in some fashion in these once-in-a-lifetime events.
Our Patron Circle members will have the opportunity to meet our Chairman and NYT Bestseller author Robert Edsel, virtually or in person. They will also have a chance to receive a guided tour of the National WWII Museum and its Monuments Men Gallery, once it opens. As of October 2018, the National WWII Museum has become the repository of the Monuments Men Foundation's extensive archive, which comprises almost 7,000 archival documents, nearly 115,000 digital assets and 220 hours of video and audio interviews with Monuments Men and Women, their family members, foreign civilians, museum directors, and many others.
Our Platinum Benefactors will have the opportunity to customize their benefits package to suit their taste and interests as they relate to the Monuments Men and Women and the work of the Foundation, including an evening of storytelling with Robert Edsel and one day on-set for a future production/movie/TV series taping.
The launch of our membership program is a great milestone for the Foundation. We are eager to develop a strong and ongoing relationship with our members and return their support with extraordinary performance.