Trustees’ Council 
The Trustees’ Council of the 

National Gallery of Art is made 

up of leaders in the worlds of art, 

philanthropy, and business. 

Cover: Paul Cézanne, The Bend in the Road, (detail), 1900/1906, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, 

Washington, Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, 1985.64.8; left: Gene Davis, Black Popcorn (detail), 

1965, oil on canvas, National Gallery of Art, Washington, Corcoran Collection (Museum Purchase and 

exchange), 2014.136.102
Trustees’ Council members convene in 

coordination with the Board of Trustees to 

support the National Gallery’s mission to 

welcome all people to explore and experience 

art, creativity, and our shared humanity. The 

Council engages in discussions with fellow 

thought leaders and special guests from 

across disciplines. 

Participation in the Council affords members 

the opportunity to share diverse perspectives 

on museum activities and programs that 

serve national and international visitors 

alike. Members contribute through annual, 

unrestricted gifts that offer the widest range 

of support possible. 

Experiences

• Biannual meetings with special events and exclusive opportunities at the 

 National Gallery and throughout the region

• Annual reception with the director and members of the executive 

 leadership team on the East Building Terrace, with a view of the 

 Capitol and National Mall

• Exhibition opening dinners and receptions

• Access to intimate discussions with National Gallery curators, 

 conservators, and educators

• Travel opportunities with the director and National Gallery experts

• Connections with fellow donors, art enthusiasts, business leaders, 

 and philanthropists

Special access

• Personalized service via an appointed National Gallery staff contact

• Behind-the-scenes opportunities to view new acquisitions

• Updates from the director on new projects, programs, and achievements

• Assistance in arranging private tours led by curators or docents

• Opportunity to request reserved on-site parking

• Opportunity to coordinate special lunches in National Gallery dining 

 facilities upon request

Other benefits

• Curated selection of special exhibition catalogs

• Recognition in and a subscription to Art for the Nation, a magazine for 

 National Gallery friends published twice a year

• 20% discount at National Gallery Shops

Members serve renewable three-year terms and express their support 

through monetary gifts or by enhancing the collection with gifts of art, 

cultivating new relationships for the museum, or assisting with fundraising 

efforts. As a testament to their commitment, members are encouraged to 

contribute $50,000 or more per year. For more information, please contact 

trustees-council@nga.gov.
About the National Gallery of Art 

The National Gallery of Art serves as the nation’s art museum. Our collection 

of more than 150,000 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, photographs, 

prints, and drawings showcases some of the triumphs of human creativity. 

Our campus on the National Mall includes the iconic West Building, the I. M. 

Pei–designed East Building, and the resplendent Sculpture Garden. Through 

a full spectrum of exhibitions, educational resources, and public programs 

offered free of charge, the National Gallery aims to cultivate more engaged, 

empathetic, and inspired citizens. 

Since opening in 1941, the National Gallery has carried out our mission through 

a partnership of public support and private philanthropy. Our work is inspired 

by the story of the museum’s founding as the nation’s art gallery and the 

extraordinary patriotic legacy of Andrew W. Mellon and our other founding 

benefactors. Though we receive federal funding, key activities—including 

acquisitions, public programs, and special exhibitions—are sustained through 

private support. This structure allows the National Gallery sole control of 

our artistic decisions and activities. Thanks to the generosity of the federal 

government and private donors, the National Gallery continues to collect, 

exhibit, and preserve art, offer a wide array of education and public programs 

for visitors near and far, and promote groundbreaking scholarship.

Under the leadership of our fifth director, Kaywin Feldman, who assumed her 

position in March 2019, we are working to strengthen our connection with 

communities across the country and reaffirm our role as the nation’s art 

museum.