Just one look at our building itself—an integration of the indoors and outdoors that is horizontal, light-filled, porous and flexible—will tell you that we approach things differently. After all, that’s what arts leaders do. Now, we’re poised to do even more of it. We are already known as leaders in the arts, renowned across the region for our unique collections, innovative programming and unexpected perspectives, all of which make people think and feel more deeply as they engage with creativity.

We have a vision to strengthen that leadership and legacy by expanding our programs, reaching out to nontraditional audiences, adding more masterpieces to our collections, and discovering and amplifying the voices of emerging artists. When you make a gift to support a named museum director, an art acquisition fund or an artist discovery fund, you help us go even further. You’re expanding our reach and working to establish our museum as a primary art destination in California.

The Manetti Shrem Museum is a vital part of UC Davis. But just as important, we are a critical part of a larger community: a destination for people from all over the region to engage with the arts. Now, we are ready to rethink and reshape the idea of a traditional arts museum, expanding the ways in which the public interacts with us. Through innovative experiences like sleepovers, social events and “loud hours”—when visitors are encouraged to loudly and enthusiastically react to art—people can use our space in different and exciting ways. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, digital experiences and publications will give us new channels for reaching audiences, anytime and anywhere.

With your gift toward a publication and outreach fund, a digital connection fund, or a visitor experience fund, you can help us build a robust arts culture in Davis and throughout the region, extending our impact far beyond our physical space.