RALEIGH, NC .- The North Carolina Museum of Art announced the largest bequest in Museum history from philanthropists Barbara and Fred Kirby, a gift that will support its ever- evolving and expanding education and multigenerational outreach efforts to create authentic, inclusive, and welcoming experiences with art, nature, and people across all 100 North Carolina counties and at its sites in Raleigh and Winston-Salem. In celebration of this landmark and transformational gift, the Museum is establishing the Barbara and Fred Kirby Endowment for Education and Outreach Programming. Barbara and Fred Kirby’s daughter, Leigh Kirby Klein, states: “This endowment continues my mother’s legacy of investing in the power of arts education. We are thrilled that this endowment will support innovative programming which will inspire and educate future generations of North Carolinians.”

Barbara Kirby served as a docent at the NCMA, and object-based learning through the People’s Collection was one of her loves. The Kirby Endowment will allow the Museum to continue expanding object-based learning not only through existing programs such as virtual field trips, but also through programs including the Artist Mentorship Program, which pairs middle school-aged youth with teaching artists throughout North Carolina to encourage innovative thinking. Over the next ten years, the Museum commits to expanding engagement with the People’s Collection in the following ways:

● Statewide teacher professional development and resources, including year- long learning opportunities, virtual courses, and additional outreach support;

● Student experiences, including art-making, artists’ visits, virtual courses and meet-the-artist series, and relationships with supporting partnerships, such as NCVPS;

● Transportation for Museum field trips;

● Virtual field trips;

● Project-based school and community engagement;

● Travel collections, offering students and teachers access to objects and tactile objects in their classrooms.

Education has stood at the heart of the North Carolina Museum of Art’s mission throughout its history. This mission has been fulfilled by impactful arts education programs at the Museum and in classrooms and communities across the state for over 76 years. The NCMA has a rich history in making its collection accessible for all from tactile galleries for individuals living with visual impairments to distance learning opportunities for educators and students.

Upon becoming the NCMA’s ninth director five years ago, Valerie Hillings signaled her intention to enhance existing education and outreach programs and to undertake innovative approaches that better reflect and connect with North Carolina’s diverse communities. “This gift extends the NCMA’s existing programming, offers opportunities for new programming, and strengthens our capacity to serve and sustain resources and relationships that help ensure NC is a place where all people can thrive. We are grateful to both Barbara and Fred Kirby, as well as their family, for their historic donation in support of the North Carolina Museum of Art,” said Dr. Hillings.

The Kirby Endowment will support the NCMA’s efforts to strengthen its digital resources and access to them, expanding the breadth and depth of the NCMA’s 2020-2025 strategic plan with a focus on Governor Cooper’s Hometown Strong counties and communities outside the Greater Triangle area. NCMA Learn, virtual field trips, and other virtual learning platforms will become increasingly accessible, adding content, facilitators, dual language opportunities, and virtual gallery experiences. Additionally, community and school outreach programs, such as Teen Arts Council, College Advisory Board, memory loss programs, and collection-inspired art kits will grow and expand throughout the State to ensure we are reaching all 100 counties annually.