Photo: Joshua FranzosFor generations, the museums Carnegie founded have been integral to the life and identity of our city and region. Countless Pittsburghers who grew up with our museums now return with their own families. Young people find inspiration—and their own voice—thanks to dynamic educational offerings. Transplants to southwestern Pennsylvania marvel at the rich cultural life of the region, anchored by the four Carnegie Museums.
On May 12, we announced the public launch of ALL TOGETHER: A Campaign for Carnegie Museums, our first comprehensive campaign in two decades. This $500 million initiative is our opportunity to ensure that Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, Kamin Science Center, and The Andy Warhol Museum will continue to inspire people of all ages and interests for generations to come. That includes people like Cheryl Fashandi and Sue Joslyn, best friends who met when they attended their first Mindful Museum event at Carnegie Museum of Art, a Wednesday-morning program that invites seniors to make art, tour the galleries, and perhaps discover lasting friendships.
In this issue, you’ll read about Cheryl, Sue, and others whose varied experiences are a testament to the wide reach and deep impact of our museums. ALL TOGETHER, people and communities thrive in remarkable ways because of their connections with Carnegie Museums.
In what’s called the “quiet phase” of the campaign, Carnegie Museums raised more than $360 million thanks to the generosity of lead donors such as Joan and Peter Stephans, who are featured in this issue. And the campaign has already helped fund a number of priority projects: the opening of Mars: The Next Giant Leap and Sports360 at Kamin Science Center, the launch of The Pop District by The Warhol, the renovation of Carnegie Music Hall, the reimagining of Carnegie Museum of Art’s permanent galleries (still in progress), and the upcoming Egypt on the Nile at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
Through the ALL TOGETHER campaign, our museums are creating a host of new visitor experiences, which you’ll see mapped out on page 30 of this issue. Other goals of the campaign include the important work of caring for our buildings and revitalizing our grounds and our neighborhoods; preserving and expanding access to our world-renowned collections and archives; growing our educational offerings; supporting the vital work of our scientists; and continuing to make our museums more accessible and welcoming to all.
By taking our campaign public, we’re now calling on our extended museum community—including you, our members—to consider supporting an institution that plays such an important role in your lives and the cultural life of the region. If you’re able to join us by making a contribution, please know that we appreciate your investment in the future of the museums you love.
Thank you for being a part of the Carnegie Museums family, and remember: ALL TOGETHER, we thrive!
