PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Fenimore Art Museum had a successful year in 2018 owing to new partnerships in the area of exhibitions along with innovative new programming that set the stage for future growth. The year began, however, on a sad note with the passing of our friend and benefactor Eugene V. Thaw. The Museum recognized Mr. Thaw’s remarkable contributions in a special memorial event held in June and a memorial exhibition to both Eugene and Clare Thaw that was on view throughout the season. By year’s end, the Thaw Charitable Trust had established endowments for the Eugene and Clare Thaw Curator of American Indian Art and a Director’s Discretionary Fund, thus cementing the Thaws’ legacy at the Museum.

The Museum’s exhibitions garnered enthusiastic reviews in 2018, owing largely to a new partnership with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) called Art Bridges. With its mission to facilitate the sharing of masterworks from urban museums to those in rural areas, Art Bridges allowed FAM to borrow Expulsion from the Garden of Eden from the MFA to anchor our exhibition Thomas Cole and the Garden of Eden. Other exhibitions in 2018 included two superb photography shows on Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham, and an important community-based exhibition on Cooperstown resident and noted illustrator Lonni Sue Johnson.

Educational programming was as robust as ever in 2018, led by a new Preschool Tuesday program that brought hundreds of children into the Museum for special programming every week. This program is part of a larger effort to engage youth in every aspect of the Museum’s offerings. Another season of Performing Arts delighted audiences in the Lucy B. Hamilton Amphitheater, with productions of Othello and The Importance of Being Earnest. Increased engagement could be seen throughout the Museum, with the new MORECards and our signature Art Carts seeing strong usage.

There is much more, as you can see from the detail in the 2018 Annual Report that follows. As always, none of this would be possible without our talented and dedicated staff and volunteers, our highly committed Board of Trustees, and our generous donors, members, and visitors. Thank you all for another exciting season in Cooperstown!

PAUL S. D’AMBROSIO, Ph.D.

President and CEO
Fenimore Art Museum

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MISSION STATEMENT

Preserving – Engaging – Educating
Fenimore Art Museum is dedicated to welcoming and connecting people to our shared cultural heritage through exhibitions and programs that engage, delight, and inspire.

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OFFICERS, DIRECTORS & SENIOR STAFF