Founded in 1922, the Friends of the Institute is a volunteer organization of members of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts dedicated to supporting, enhancing and sustaining the collections, programs and influence of the MIA. Today, the Friends of the Institute is one of the nation’s largest and most active art-museum volunteer organizations.

Friends support the museum in many ways, by providing free public lectures, buses to bring schoolchildren to the museum for docent tours, artwork for the permanent collection, and funding for innovative children’s art education programs. Two major fundraisers, Art in Bloom and Art Perchance, make this support possible.

Pictured above: Friends Board of Directors (2011-2012)

Friends membership is just $45 a year, in addition to the cost of annual museum membership. Any member of the MIA may become a member of the Friends. There are chapters in the Twin Cities, Rochester, and St. Cloud. Friends members enjoy many benefits, including:

• Friends-only classes and tours
• The Friends newsletter
• First notice of volunteer opportunities at the MIA
• Activities especially for new members
• The hospitality of the Friends office

For more information, or to join, call or email the Friends Office at (612) 870-3045 or friends@artsmia.org.

Read the most recent Newsletter »

The Friends Board of Directors is constituted of Friends Officers, Committee Chairs, and Special Appointees. Members are appointed by a Nominating Committee each year and voted upon at the Friends Annual Meeting in May.

If you are interested in volunteering with a Friends committee, please complete the Friends Volunteer Form or contact the Friends office at (612) 870-3045

• Greetings from the Friends President
• Friends History
• Friends Funds
• Friends Events
• Art in Bloom Winners