Winter 2016

Success with efforts to drive up attendance numbers, improve visitor experience (both at the two locations and with the many online features), create diverse and educational programming with an emphasis on scholarship, expand outreach, and increase ma rket ing , a l l translate to AFAM’s being a leader in the museum community; made even more impressive by the fact that it’s all done with a relatively small staff of twenty-one and within budget. The museum’s fiscal strength is achieved by a combination and is expanding its profile through social media and a video presence online, as well as with dynamic programs for “Young Folk” in their twenties and thirties, Jazz Wednesdays and Free Music Fridays, and various other creative membership events. AFAM also expands into areas that help people with medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Says Radice, “Folk, self-taught, and art brut is by nature inclusionary. What we show is high quality art that is approachable by everyone, and we do so in an engaging and diverse manner.” Winter 116 www.afamag.com | w ww.incollect.com Bed rug, artist unidentified, Connecticut River Valley, ca. 1790–1810. Wool on woven wool, 100 x 96 inches. American Folk Art Museum, New York; Gift of Ralph Esmerian (1995.32.2). Did You Know: The entire collection is in the process of being digitized and uploaded to AFAM’s website thanks to a $600,000 grant from the Leir Charitable Foundations.