Annual Fund Drive

While tuition fees covers instructor salaries, the school must rely primarily on donations to the Glassell School Annual Fund to cover all other costs of maintaining and running the school. From basic upkeep of the facilities, supporting faculty and staff, to scholarships and affordable tuition rates, the Glassell School Annual Fund is the cornerstone of income for the school, and allows the museum to continue serving the public as a major source of artistic instruction.

Gifts to the annual fund not only guarantee that the school can continue offer excellent instruction in over 100 classes, including all range of artistic practice, and a variety of art history surveys, but they also support all aspects of school operations. The Junior School is still the only facility of its kind in the country, and brings top-tier workshop practices to Houston’s youth. There is also the Community Bridge Program that does outreach in hospitals and community centers, as well as the Core Residency Program, which supports up and coming artists and critics at the start of their careers.

While any gift to the Glassell Fund Drive is deeply appreciated, contributions of $2,500 or more make you eligible for the Leadership Circle, the museum’s premier philanthropic society. Leadership Circle members enjoy exclusive benefits and opportunities to engage in the museum through private exhibition viewings and special programming created to give an insider’s perspective of the museum. For more information, or to give to the Glassell Annual Fund, click here, or contact Anissa Cordova, Annual Campaigns Manager, at 713.639.7559 or acordova@mfah.org.

Annual Benefit and Art Auction

This event is the primary fundraiser for the Glassell School of Art and celebrates its talented faculty, students, and Core artists. The evening begins with a cocktail reception and preview of the art auction, followed by a seated dinner, dancing, and passed desserts. The main attraction is always the silent auction of art by artists associated with the school, including former and current Core fellows. Underwriting levels with guaranteed seating are available for $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000, with individual dinner tickets available for $500 and up. Reservations for the general admission portion of the evening are $100 per person.

For more information, click here or contact Development Special Events at GlassellBenefit@mfah.org or 713.639.7523.

Student Alumni Organization

The Student Alumni Organization (SAO) is a donor group created specifically for the students and alumni of the Glassell School of Art. For current and former students who are passionate about giving back to the Glassell School community, the SAO provides an opportunity not only to connect with other Glassell Alumni, but also to contribute to the school’s mission. By joining the SAO, your gift will allow the school to continue giving excellent instruction; to keep its tuition fees affordable; and to create an ever-growing community of artists.

Studio $75 (FMV $50)
• Eligibility for entry in the SAO Select Juried Exhibition
• An invitation to one SAO artist lecture
• An invitation to the preview party for the Annual Student Sale
Workshop $250 (FMV $125)
All of the benefits of Studio level, and
• An invitation to one professional development session with an insider’s perspective into the inner workings of the art world
• An invitation to the annual Core Open Studio
Exhibition $1,000 (FMV $150)
All of the benefits of Workshop level, and
• An invitation to a faculty studio visit
• Recognition at the Annual Student Exhibition
• A complimentary copy of the annual Core publication
• One complimentary Art History course at the Glassell School

Leadership Circle
For those that wish to contribute $2,500 or more and receive benefits that reach throughout the museum, the Leadership Circle offers exclusive access to the MFAH. Leadership Circle members that designate a portion or their entire gift to the Glassell School will also receive SAO benefits at the level of their Glassell donation.

To become a member of the Glassell SAO please visit our online donation form and choose Glassell School of Art when making your gift. For more information please call 713.639.7559.