ANNA CRUZ

The Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis holds an annual gala, a major annual fundraiser that raises essential funds to support the museum's exhibitions, programs, and mission to present the most innovative artwork being made today for free. As their museum door proudly says: CAM is free to all. 

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Another essential aspect of these galas? They're a really good time. These galas are yearly celebrations that embrace the spirit of contemporary art in St. Louis. 

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As this annual event's art director for 4 (almost) consecutive years, I've created 4 unique visual identities with the aim to inspire potential donors to attend, buy tables, and donate. How do we do that consistently? We tap into hyper-specific aesthetics that are extremely fun to dress up for. From a Palm Springs pool party with a mid-century modern style to a water-inspired theme with touches of celestial navigation and nautical astronomy, I've visualized these galas in a way that can make CAM's audience imagine a type of fantasy world they can occupy for one evening. 

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CAM's annual galas raise upwards to $600,000 per year, accounting for around 20% of the museum's operating budget.