VCUarts is a world leader in art, design, and performance, complemented by the vanguard Institute for Contemporary Art at VCU. The demonstrated excellence of VCUarts happens within the context of Richmond, Virginia, a historic city in the midst of an exciting transformation fueled by achievements in arts and culture. This season, the Pollak Society will explore the connections between VCUarts and the individuals and institutions leading and shaping the creative economy of Richmond.
The Pollak Society represents a broad coalition of producers, performers, friends, and alumni centered on supporting the pedagogical and artistic development of VCUarts. The Pollak Society forms a nexus for creativity and inclusion, inviting a curious and supportive community to experience art in beautiful and unexpected ways.
VCUarts is grateful for the funding provided by the Pollak Society, which expands the essential idea of the School by underwriting research and travel grants that create intellectual opportunities for our internationally recognized faculty and talented students. In turn, members receive insider access to one of the most dynamic Art schools in the country.
Join the Pollak Society
Member Benefits
All benefactor-level benefits, plus:
- A special invitation to travel with VCUarts leadership to the school’s campus in Doha, Qatar
- Exclusive engagements with prominent guests of the school
All patron-level benefits, plus:
- An invitation to join VCUarts faculty and alumni at special events in New York and LA
- VIP access to Art Basel Miami Beach and other art and design happenings
- Opportunity to direct half of your gift to support a special exhibition, Theatre production, or the annual Fashion Event, with the associated recognition and benefits
All member-level benefits, plus:
- Tailored behind-the-scenes experience for you and two guests with your favorite VCUarts department
- Receptions with VCUarts Lecture Series artists, performers, designers and scholars
- Invitations to six exclusive VCUarts events throughout the academic year
- A subscription to Studio, VCUarts’ annual magazine
- Acknowledgement in the Pollak Society brochure and on the website
- Invitations to three exclusive VCUarts events throughout the academic year
- A subscription to Studio, VCUarts’ annual magazine
- Acknowledgement in the Pollak Society brochure and on the website
Join us today
Spring 2025 Event Season
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
VCU Jazz at The Broadberry: A Place for Music
Join for a special evening of music and storytelling at The Broadberry. Under the direction of Jazz Studies and Business alumnus Lucas Fritz, (B.A. ’11), The Broadberry has become a hub for music in Richmond. Enjoy performances and recollections by renowned faculty and alumni as we celebrate the tremendous impact that former VCUarts dean Murry N. DePillars, Ph.D. had on the jazz culture at VCU and in our community.
THURSDAY, MARCH 27
Fashion at the Valentine: Collecting, Preserving and Interpreting
Enjoy a fashionable evening at The Valentine with a behind-the-scenes look at the museum’s installation of the upcoming exhibition, Fancy. Meet student designers and merchandisers as they share inspirations for work showcased at the upcoming 2025 VCUarts fashion show. Discover how fashion—past and present—is deeply interwoven with the history of Richmond.
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
M.F.A. Thesis at the ICA at VCU: Pushing Beyond and Shaping what is Next
Experience the avant-garde work of this year’s M.F.A. graduate students at a private exhibition viewing. Meet the artists and see firsthand how this emerging work engages with the philosophical, critical and technical conditions that are shaping the contemporary art world.
*Dates and event format is subject to change
Contact the development team
By joining the Pollak Society, you can support the creative endeavors of VCUarts students, faculty and staff. To learn more about the Pollak Society, please contact:
Sarah Hendricks, Executive Director of Development
shendricks@vcu.edu / (804) 828-8844
Member List
Thank you to our 2023-24 Pollak Society Members
Nita and Jack Enoch
Virginia and Steve Harvey
Karen and Patrick Kelly
Deborah and John Kemper
Kemper Family Fund
Christy and Michael Lantz
Jason Noble
Pam Royall
Vicky and Chuck Bleick
Reji Carreras
Carolyn and Thomas Garner
Wendy and William Garner
Garner Family Fund
Meg and John Gottwald
Jeff Gumenick
Gumenick Fund
Terrell and Elliott Harrigan
Anita and Tom Lisk
Alice and Will Massie
Patsy Pettus
Suzanne and Joseph* Seipel
Marcia and Harry Thalhimer
Charles G. Thalhimer and Family Foundation
Deborah and Thomas Valentine
* Deceased
Phoebe Antrim
Shelly and Douglas Arthur
Lloyd and Art Backstrom
Sarah Hendricks and Kevin Badgett
Richard Birnbaum
Melissa and Julian Bowen-Rees
Lisa-Margaret Bryan
Gwen Burroughs
Susan Butler
The Lewis and Butler Foundation
Edie and Bob Cabaniss
Gisela and Thomas Chelimsky
Katharine and David Crowl
Kay and Philip Davidson
Birch Douglass
Laura Fields
Debra and David Fitzgerald
Yvonne and Charles Gold
Nancy and Bruce Gottwald
Evelyn and Jim Gregory
Martha Grover
Estes Foundation
John Herrington and Keith Toth
Alan Hutson
Kelly Kerr
Sandra Mihaloff and Philip Klaus
Philip W. Klaus, Jr. Revocable Trust
Pat Lawson
J. Patterson Lawson Charitable Fund
Anne Rhodes Lee
Jane and Bill Liepis
National Philanthropic Trust
Frances Lewis
Ginny and Andy Lewis
The Lewis and Butler Foundation
Karen Lewis
Alice and Mac Livingston
Reynolds Gallery, Inc.
Michelle Gluck and John McGurl
Julia and Douglas Monroe
Sara and Paul Monroe
Kathryn Gray and Alex Nyerges
Candy Osdene
Michi Ouchi
Karen and John Palen
JS Fauquet and Joseph Papa
Sharon Larkins-Pederson and Edson Pederson
Mathis and Stephen Powelson
Alex Ritter and Rab McClure
Maya Erhardt and Cristian Romero
David Ross
Megan and Alex Schad
Joye and Davy Scheffler
Gail and John Jay Schwartz
Nancy Scott
Jayne and Brian Shaw
Mary and Jack Spain
Tracy and Tom Stallings
Janet and Bill Stegeman
Tina and Lewis Stoneburner
Sherry and Kent* Titus
Jan and Roger Tutton
Katie and Ted Ukrop
Ted and Katie Ukrop Fund
Julie and Paul Weissend
Sandra and Tyrone Wilkins
Mark Reed and Jerry Williams
Williams/Reed Giving Fund
Vann Williams
Suzanne Hall and Joseph Willis
National Philanthropic Trust
Bucci and John Zeugner
* Deceased
Claudia and Steven Biegler
Biegler Family Donor Advised Fund
Rachel and Douglas Dalton
Joan Davis
Sheila and Neil McPherson
Michelle and John Nestler
The John and Michelle Nestler Donor Fund
Lynn and Chip Spitzer
Courtney Walker
