2023
Impact Report
The mission of the Birmingham Museum of Art is to spark the creativity, imagination, and liveliness of Birmingham by connecting all its citizens to the experience, meaning, and joy of art.
View This Year’s Stats
Annual Report PDF354,494
The BMA’s comprehensive website offers access to our digitized global collection, information about programs and exhibitions, as well as rich video content of lectures, gallery talks, and performances.
99,000
Social Followers. The BMA has an increasingly large social media presence among Alabama’s cultural institutions with 99,000 individuals following Museum activities and updates.
84,928
In-Person Visitors
As we work to regain our pre-pandemic audiences, we proudly offered free admission to 84,928 visitors. The central part of our mission is to ensure that anyone can have access to high-quality art experiences.
28,000
Works of Art
A combination of 28,000 paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, works on paper, photography, and videos comprise the Museum’s collection of art from around the world which spans from ancient to modern times and includes Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art.
1,814 Members
As the only global art collection in Alabama, the BMA is central to the cultural vibrancy of our community. Our continued success is the result of a supportive community, a membership base of 1,814 households.
1,814 Members
As the only global art collection in Alabama, the BMA is central to the cultural vibrancy of our community. Our continued success is the result of a supportive community, a membership base of 1,814 households.
990
Living Artists in the Collection. As we work to bridge narratives of historical and contemporary times, we continue to grow our collection of work by artists creating today.
62
Community Partnerships
Our cherished community partnerships are central to our mission, as we seek to create authentic and meaningful art experiences for Birmingham.
34
Public Programs
From lectures and master classes to festivals and film screenings, public programs enhance our collection, offering opportunities for greater learning and cultural exchange.
9 Exhibitions
In one year, our team produced 9 compelling in-person exhibitions representing work by artists around the world and here in Birmingham. All were offered free of charge to the public.
9 Exhibitions
In one year, our team produced 9 compelling in-person exhibitions representing work by artists around the world and here in Birmingham. All were offered free of charge to the public.
1
With your support, our Museum has the power to transform Birmingham by connecting all its people to the experience, meaning, and joy of art.
Dear Friends of the BMA
We are pleased to present the annual Impact Report (2022-23) for the Birmingham Museum of Art, reflecting on the achievements, challenges, and aspirations of the past year. It is with immense gratitude that we share the progress we have made as we continue to flourish as a vital cultural resource for our community. The year was filled with engaging programs and compelling exhibitions. From highlighting the works of local artists to bringing in internationally acclaimed speakers, each initiative aimed to spark conversation, encourage exploration, and provide a space for shared experiences.
Wall to Wall: Rico Gatson presented by PNC enlivened our lobby area with bold and colorful graphics, along with a portrait of Civil Rights pioneer Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. Brooklyn-based artist Rico Gatson made several trips to Birmingham to create the site- specific work. The large scale installation served as a vibrant backdrop for dozens of BMA programs and events throughout the year.
Light Play, an exhibition of contemporary art, explored the various meanings of “light”
and “play” through media, expression, and form. Light Play also underscored the BMA’s commitment to the collection and presentation of female artists and artists of color, and featured works by over thirty artists, including Afruz Amighi, Kumi Yamashita, and Chester Higgins. By popular demand we extended our highly regarded exhibition, Expanding Darshan: Manjari Sharma, To See and Be Seen. We are pleased to report that the show will go on well past its time in Birmingham, reaching audiences out west, as it is currently on view at the Phoenix Art Museum, where it will remain through April 2024.
Beyond exhibitions, a rich schedule of programming engaged thousands of visitors over the course of the year. The 2022 Chenoweth Lecture featured a discussion with James Beard award-winning chefs Frank Stitt and Bryant Terry. The subject of the evening was “Food and Community in the South.” Moderators Amanda Storey of Jones Valley Teaching Farm and Chef Ama Ifágbàmílà’ Shambulia of A Beautiful Life Enterprises LLC navigated the interconnectivity of food and community in the American South. In the spring, our 2023 Holi Festival proved to be our all-time best, as more than 5,000 visitors spilled out of the BMA and into the neighboring City Walk to welcome the spring season with a lively celebration that included music, dance, and the throwing of colors.
Finally, despite the economic challenges faced by many institutions, the Birmingham Museum of Art remains financially stable. This is a testament to the generosity of our donors, the support of our members, and the prudent financial management by our dedicated team. We are especially grateful for the supporters of Bollywood Nights, our 2023 Museum Ball, the institution’s largest annual fundraising event. Co-chaired by Dora and Sanjay Singh and Maye and Bernard Frei, the event enjoyed another record-breaking year of fundraising success with a memorable evening of dinner and dancing. Moving forward, we will continue to be vigilant in our stewardship of resources, ensuring the long- term sustainability of Birmingham’s crown jewel.