Special Events

Founders' Fête Fund-raising event
Thursday, March 24, 5:30-9:00 pm
Limit: 250 participants; Fee: $40.00

Experience an Italian Renaissance architectural gem by attending the Founders' Fête fund-raising event at the historic Gale Mansion. In the spirit of the Collaboration theme of the 2nd Joint VRA+ARLIS/NA Conference, this single fund-raising event will be held in place of separate events traditionally held at ARLIS/NA and VRA annual conferences. Funds raised will go to the VRA's Tansey Travel Award fund and to support the ARLIS/NA Society.

A brief video celebration of the founders and early history of both organizations will be shown continually in the Mansion's elegant ballroom, alternating with live musical entertainment featuring popular music of the early Twentieth Century - complete with projections of sheet music covers, silent movie film excerpts, and lantern "song slides" from Minneapolis' famous Mar-Nan Collection.

Enjoy heavy hors d'oeuvres, a ticket for one complimentary drink, and a cash bar for subsequent drinks. After indulging at the Mansion, take a shuttle to the nearby Minneapolis Institute of Arts, which will be open for Founders' Fête attendees to view the special exhibitions - "Titian and the Golden Age of Venetian Painting" and "The Mourners: Tomb Sculptures from the Court of Burgundy".

Free shuttle transportation will be provided from the hotel to the Gale Mansion as well as to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Shuttles will run throughout the event between the Mansion and the museum.

This special fund-raising event is capped at 250; register early to make sure you don't miss a fabulous evening!

The "Icebreaker" Welcome Party
Friday, March 25, 7:00-10:00 pm

Following the Convocation at the Hilton Hotel, the conference Welcome Party -- the "Icebreaker" -- will be held at Walker Art Center, one of the most exciting contemporary visual, performing, and media arts venues in the United States. Mix and mingle throughout the Walker's galleries and bookshop, while enjoying heavy hors d'oeuvres, a dessert bar, one free drink ticket, plus a cash bar.

Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy current exhibits including "Sol LeWitt: 2D+3D", showcasing a range of artwork from his drawings and prints to sculptures, maquettes, and wall drawings, among other items, and "50/50: Audience and Experts Curate the Paper Collection", featuring some 200 works hung salon-style and addressing the dynamics between "audience" and "expert", curatorial practice and so-called "mass taste".  Walker Art Center Director Olga Viso will give a welcome at 7:30pm.  Free shuttle provided from the hotel to the Walker Art Center and back.