1. Why a museum for textiles?
Textiles in every form play an enormous role in our lives. The Museum’s exhibits and programs mine the cultural diversity of the Bay Area and showcase how textiles sustain vital social, cultural and spiritual traditions. As an art institution, the Museum is unique in providing a serious venue for all artists working with fiber media.
2. What is the mission of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles?
The first museum of its kind in the U.S., the Museum was founded in 1977 to promote the art, craft and history of quilts and textiles. It has a broad mandate to consider textile art from all places and time periods.
3. How is the Museum funded?
The Museum depends on generous annual contributions, grants, exhibition sponsorships, memberships and fees from admissions for ongoing operating costs. The Capstone Campaign is a capital building campaign to raise the funds to complete the build out and full ownership of the Museum’s new permanent home.
4. What is the extent of the project and why is it so necessary?
Ending a nomadic history, the Museum partnered with a group of private investors in 2003 to purchase an historic building in the arts and entertainment district of downtown San Jose. The building is about 13,000 square feet; the ground floor is 11,000. The overall cost of the property purchase, seismic retrofitting, renovation and remodeling needed to create wonderful exhibit, storage, education and administrative spaces, including indirect project costs, totals $7.64 million. The building plan includes three galleries, a museum store, caterer’s kitchen, classroom/event space, workshop space, staff offices, workspace for exhibition and collection preparation, and compact storage systems for the growing collection. The initial phase of construction, totaling $1.86 million, was completed in August 2005, funded through grants, loans and private donations. Phase-II fundraising, totaling an additional $4.3 million, will retire the mortgage, buy out investors, complete the full build-out of the remodeling, and provide a $1 million endowment to offset increases in the occupancy costs of the larger space.
5. From where will the funds to purchase and renovate the new museum come?
The new facility will be funded through this Capstone Campaign. More than 35 volunteers, believing in the importance of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles, are seeking contributions from individuals, businesses and foundations.
6. If I already give to the Museum, should I also give to the Capstone Campaign?
Yes. The need to ensure a secure financial future in the Museum’s new permanent home is essential and urgent. Therefore, donors are asked to stretch in their ongoing support to also give generously to the Capstone Campaign. The Museum is poised to take its place as a nationally significant exhibiting, teaching and collecting art institution, and deliver on its promise to increase the understanding and appreciation of textile arts in our lives and our communities.
7. How was the cost to purchase and renovate the building determined?
The decision to purchase and improve the property at 520 South First Street followed a comprehensive planning process and project assessment involving the Museum’s board of trustees, key community leaders and staff. Careful cost estimating, including contingencies for inflation has led to the overall project budget of $7.64 million. Remaining project elements yet to be funded are fixed costs and not subject to unforeseen increases.
8. How may gifts and pledges be made?
The Museum encourages pledges and letter-of-intent commitments that may be paid over a period of one to five years. Gifts may be paid in several ways: cash, appreciated securities, real estate, tangible property, and through planned gifts from paid-up insurance policies and trusts.
9. May a memorial or tribute be established with my gift?
Your commitment may be made to the Campaign “In Honor Of” or “In Memory Of” whomever you wish. Gifts of $5,000 or more will be noted on a beautiful donor wall in a prominent location of the new facility as a lasting tribute to your generosity. Additionally, certain rooms and program areas have been earmarked for memorial and tribute purposes. A complete list of such opportunities is available here.
10. Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes. Consult your tax advisor for specific IRS reporting requirements and allowable deductions for different kinds of contributions (cash, securities, non-cash contributions, etc.).
11. What happens if I am unable to pay my pledge at a later date?
Naturally you will make your pledge in good faith. If, at a later date, unforeseen circumstances make it impossible for you to fulfill your pledge, you may defer or cancel your pledge by simply notifying the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles.
12. Who runs the Museum?
A 10-member volunteer board of trustees governs the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles. These volunteers are responsible for policy making, governance, financial oversight and fund raising for Museum programs and activities. Reporting to the board is the Museum’s executive director, Jane Przybysz. The staff, with guidance from the board, is responsible for operating the Museum, curating exhibits, and managing the Museum’s permanent collection.
13. Whom may I contact for more information?
Jane Przybysz, Executive Director
San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles
520 South First Street
San Jose, California 95113
Tel: 408.971.0323, ext. 16
Fax: 408.971.7226
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