Staff Report. July 1, 2011. BLOWING ROCK – The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum (BRAHM) "Season of Opportunity" drew to a close on June 30, having raised $857,475 during the year-long Challenge.

At the June 2010 Annual Meeting, the Board of Trustees announced that eight previous donors had generously offered $405,000, to be used immediately to match all gifts and pledges made to the Museum within the next six months.

A number of Museum supporters sponsored cultivation parties, during which hundreds of residents and friends were invited to learn more about the Museum’s plans. As an added incentive, donors were allowed to claim the total amount of their matched gift for naming opportunities.

In December, the Board extended the challenge for another six months, making the deadline June 30, 2011.

Ninety-four matching donations were received by BRAHM, for a total of $452,475, surpassing the original goal. Rushton Hays, longtime supporter of the Museum, provided the last gift that helped push the Challenge over the top.

“Completing this Challenge has helped us achieve funding for the new building,” said Welborn Alexander, president of the BRAHM Board of Trustees. “When we began, we thought we would be extremely pleased if we matched the original $405,000. To exceed that goal to the degree that we did is an incredible accomplishment.”

The BRAHM Board of Trustees will now focus on securing the startup and exhibit costs for the Museum’s October 1 Grand Opening.

For more information on these and other Museum needs, contact Executive Director Joann Mitchell at (828) 295-9099.

The mission of the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is to promote the visual arts, history and heritage of the mountains through educational programs, exhibitions and significant permanent collections. For more information, visit www.blowingrockmuseum.org or call 828.295.9099.

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