In the area of development, the Hood Museum of Art continues to partner with our Friends and supporters to enhance the educational and experiential opportunities at Dartmouth College.  

The Hood Museum remains committed to the ideals of "art for all" and "art by all." In that effort, admission to the galleries and Friends-level membership this year were again free to all participants. Foregoing upfront membership dues, Friends were invited to donate in support of the museum's operations, programs, and collections. The museum is pleased, and immensely grateful, to report that this model continues with great success. Annual contributions from this group increased almost 43 percent since last year, and we were delighted to add many new Friends as well. Our Friends not only represent our immediate Dartmouth campus and the Upper Valley community but also national and global audiences. With the addition of virtual public programming in March 2020, our programming and events grew from local gatherings to global opportunities. Friends and supporters from all over the world now join the Hood Museum online to experience transformative encounters with art. As we continue in this digital landscape, it is the museum's intent to explore new ways of engaging and cultivating this global, virtual community. 

The Director's Circle, a group of supporters and art enthusiasts who commit to an annual contribution of over $2,500, also enjoyed a fulfilling and successful year. During the annual trip, members traveled with the director, John Stomberg, to the Midwest and enjoyed exclusive tours of world-renowned collections. Virtual programming has also brought this group together and allowed for special events that connect members directly to up-and-coming artists. The continued encouragement, contributions, and participation of both the Director's Circle and the Friends help this institution enrich lives through art. 

This year, the Hood Museum also celebrated the remarkable legacy of philanthropy in the arts at Dartmouth. In honor of the College's 250th anniversary, supporters generously donated of over fifty works of art to the permanent collection. These works were added to all areas of the collection and represented a diverse set of artists and artistic practices. This initiative concluded with an exhibition entitled Art for Dartmouth, which showcased the acquisitions during our fall term. These works not only produced an inspiring exhibition but also highlighted a steadfast commitment to the power of art in the academic setting on behalf of the donors. These works enhance the museum's practice of object-based teaching and experiential learning-by-doing. In this way, Art for Dartmouth not only highlighted the Hood Museum's extraordinary collection but also the legacy of collecting at Dartmouth. 

The Hood Museum is grateful for the many milestones made possible by our generous Friends and supporters.