A benefit event for the Museum
Save the Date! The Museum Ball is Saturday, February 8, 2014 | Tickets on Sale Now!
The Museum Ball is the longest-running annual event at MOR. Dedicated to raising funds for the Museum, this is one of the most festive and fun benefit events held annually. In addition, proceeds from the Dutch Auction at the Ball and raffle ticket sales support the Opening Doors for Montana Schoolchildren Fund allowing every Montana schoolchild to come to the Museum for free as part of an organized school group. Guests can expect cocktails, a delicious dinner, dancing to a live band and a lively auction. The Ball is always held in February on the Saturday closest to Valentine’s Day weekend. It’s the perfect occasion to dress up and come and celebrate with friends.
Dutch Auction: Opening Doors for Montana Schoolchildren
During the 2003–2004 school year, the Museum saw a sharp decrease in school group visitation, from approximately 11,000 students a year to fewer than 6,000. While the financial loss of admission fees to the Museum was substantial, the educational and cultural loss to the children of Montana was far greater. In 2005, former Museum Board Member Denys Slater and his wife Jane led the effort to establish the Opening Doors for Montana Schoolchildren Fund. This important fund, combined with the generosity of Museum Ball Dutch Auction donors, covers admission fees and helps alleviate field trip transportation costs. During the 2008–2009 academic year, approximately 1 out of every 24 Montana schoolchildren, Pre-Kindergarten−12th grade, visited the Museum. Since the inception of this private fund, the Museum has raised over $245,000 and as a result has welcomed nearly 50,000 schoolchildren through its doors. The Museum could not have done this without the support of dedicated and visionary donors like you. We ask you to continue this invaluable legacy of learning by making a contribution to this fund and helping us ensure the Museum remains accessible to all Montana public, private, tribal and home schoolchildren.