2021 Museum Gala

Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is celebrating its 230th Anniversary. We are delighted to invite you to the 2021 Museum Gala held virtually on Thursday, June 10. The evening, A Night of Gratitude, will feature videos of exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, program and community highlights, surprise guests, and a signature meal. The evening will include a sneak peak of our new exhibition, Romancing the Rails: Train Travel in the 1920s and 1930s.

This year the Albany Institute is recognizing and thanking Our Community which has supported us throughout the museum's history, and especially during 2020, a challenging year for all. At the gala we will thank all the members, visitors, artists, families, corporations, foundations, and volunteers. Generous community support made it possible for our staff to dream, innovate, and provide access to art, history, and culture for audiences of all ages by developing on-site and virtual programming. Through art and history, we can connect, discover, create, and embrace joy.

The Museum Gala is our largest annual fundraiser; the impact of your contribution will support programs throughout the year - outdoor pop-up exhibitions, virtual and on-site school field trips, free online lectures and demonstrations, art workshops, and new exhibitions. Your support is key to our financial sustainability at a time when all of us need to embrace the arts for our collective future well-being. Museums improve our quality of life by providing opportunities for discovery, creativity, and joy.