Friends of the Ashmolean

Friends of the Ashmolean. The Friends of the Ashmolean is a charitable organization that supports the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Founded in 1929, the organization has been instrumental in promoting the museum's activities, including the acquisition of new artworks and artifacts from Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as supporting exhibitions on Prehistoric Europe, European Art, and Eastern Art. The Friends of the Ashmolean have also been involved in various fundraising efforts, including galas and auctions, to support the museum's collections and educational programs, similar to those at the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Britain.

● History of

the Friends of the Ashmolean The Friends of the Ashmolean was established in 1929, with the aim of supporting the Ashmolean Museum and promoting its activities, including the work of J.J. Thomson, Ernest Rutherford, and Niels Bohr. Over the years, the organization has played a significant role in the development of the museum, including the acquisition of new artworks and artifacts from China, Japan, and Korea, as well as supporting exhibitions on Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. The Friends of the Ashmolean have also been involved in various conservation projects, including the restoration of paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, and the preservation of manuscripts from the Bodleian Library and British Library. The organization has worked closely with other museums and galleries, including the Louvre, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and National Museum of Anthropology, to promote the understanding and appreciation of art and culture.

● Purpose and Activities

The purpose of the Friends of the Ashmolean is to support the Ashmolean Museum and promote its activities, including the acquisition of new artworks and artifacts from Africa, Asia, and America. The organization achieves this through various activities, including fundraising efforts, such as charity events and sponsorship programs, similar to those at the Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum. The Friends of the Ashmolean also organize lectures and tours of the museum, led by curators and experts from the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and British Academy. Additionally, the organization supports educational programs and community outreach initiatives, including workshops and seminars on art history, museum studies, and cultural heritage, in collaboration with Institute of Archaeology, School of Oriental and African Studies, and Courtauld Institute of Art.

● Membership and Benefits

Membership of the Friends of the Ashmolean is open to anyone who supports the Ashmolean Museum and its activities, including art collectors, curators, and art historians from Christie's, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. Members of the organization enjoy various benefits, including free admission to the museum, priority booking for exhibitions and events, and discounts on publications and merchandise from the Ashmolean Museum Shop and Oxford University Press. Members also receive regular newsletters and updates on the museum's activities, including exhibitions and acquisitions, as well as invitations to private views and receptions at the Royal Academy of Arts, National Portrait Gallery, and Tate Modern.

● Support for

the Ashmolean Museum The Friends of the Ashmolean provide significant support to the Ashmolean Museum, including funding for exhibitions, acquisitions, and conservation projects, similar to the support provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England, and Heritage Lottery Fund. The organization has also been involved in various fundraising efforts, including appeals and campaigns, to support the museum's collections and educational programs, in collaboration with Oxford University Development Office, University of Oxford Alumni Association, and Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The Friends of the Ashmolean have also supported the development of the museum's digital resources, including online collections and educational websites, such as the Google Arts & Culture platform and BBC Arts.

● Notable Events and Exhibitions

The Friends of the Ashmolean have supported various notable events and exhibitions at the Ashmolean Museum, including blockbuster exhibitions on Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as temporary exhibitions on Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. The organization has also supported lectures and conferences on art history, museum studies, and cultural heritage, featuring speakers from the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and British Academy, such as Neil MacGregor, Simon Schama, and Mary Beard. The Friends of the Ashmolean have also been involved in various community outreach initiatives, including workshops and seminars on art and culture, in collaboration with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and Arts Council England.

● Governance and Organisation

The Friends of the Ashmolean is a charitable organization governed by a board of trustees, which includes experts from the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and British Academy, such as Dame Jenny Abramsky, Lord Browne of Madingley, and Sir Nicholas Serota. The organization is also supported by a team of staff and volunteers, who work together to promote the Ashmolean Museum and its activities, including fundraising, marketing, and event management, in collaboration with Oxford University Development Office, University of Oxford Alumni Association, and Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The Friends of the Ashmolean are also members of various professional organizations, including the Museums Association and International Council of Museums, and work closely with other museums and galleries, including the British Museum, National Gallery, and Tate Britain. Category:Charitable organizations