Exciting Challenge News!

Dear Museum Friend, 

As I experience my first spring at The Carle, I am writing to share the joy, inspiration, and optimism I and so many others have found here at the home of picture book art. And I have exciting news!  

An anonymous donor has offered a $50,000 challenge grant to match all gifts made to the Museum before our appeal season ends on June 30. This longtime donor is committed to expanding the reach of The Carle and to raising the profile and understanding of picture book art.  

Join us and celebrate our growing art collection, which includes many of the most beloved picture book characters, from Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar and Arnold Lobel’s lovable Frog and Toad to Petra Mathers’ friendly chickens, Mo Willems’ eager Pigeon, Ashley Bryan’s Beautiful Blackbird, and many more. We care for 13,000 works of art – collage, paintings, sketches, lithographs, sculpture, and book dummies – by more than 300 artists, many of whom regularly visit The Carle and share their creative process with our visitors. We are known for our engaging exhibitions in our state-of-the-art galleries in Amherst, Massachusetts and in museums around the world, including Asia and the Middle East. More than four million visitors have viewed our exhibitions and programs worldwide! 

Sometimes, it is better to hear from others than from us. Let me share this testimonial from a member who visited in March with her young son. 

Thank you all for being an incredible institution. I am so impressed. From the staff at the reception desk to the bookstore and gallery and librarians, thank you. You are directly making a difference in how my son views the world, art, and books. The exhibits are perfectly interactive yet stunning and uncluttered. Thank you to all who design and implement programs, story times, and experiences. We don’t have anything near us to this caliber and I am happy to drive the 2.5-hour round trip to expose our son to the kindness of your museum. 

What an amazing tribute to the magic of The Carle! 

Picture book art allows us to see, hear, and understand one another. This art is an approachable avenue to introduce new cultures and values. In these complicated and challenging times, our work has never been more important. Our programs, exhibitions, and initiatives help promote tolerance and understanding, encourage the pursuit of knowledge and context, embrace civil debate and engagement, and help bridge differing viewpoints. As our visitors of all ages explore art in our galleries, they learn the historical contexts of the works, the artists’ backgrounds, and the significance of the art, leading to a greater appreciation of the diverse culture around us.  

We are so grateful for your role in our Museum community. We would love your support to help us expand our reach and meet the opportunity in front of us. And to share the joy! Can you tell three friends about The Carle? Encourage them to visit with you, join the Museum online, or explore our new site on the Bloomberg Connects app. We want everyone to have affirming experiences with the Museum like the young family cited above. Celebrate The Carle and the magic it inspires every day.  

Together, we can make our world a better place. Join others and donate today to help us match this amazing challenge grant.  

With warmest wishes, 

Jennifer Schantz 
Executive Director