Volunteering plays a major role in the operation of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and the Naples Museum of Art. Each season, more than 1,500 volunteers generously give their time and talents in a variety of ways. These volunteers work either individually or as members of the Naples Philharmonic League and the Friends of Art. Volunteers serve as docents in the Naples Museum of Art and assist in the Center’s music library, Collector’s Corner, the lobby reception desk, the administrative offices and in the museum. For more information about joining, please contact Susanna Garthwaite, Volunteer Coordinator, at (239) 597-1111 or e-mail sgarthwaite@thephil.org.

Docent Programs

The Docent Program enables visitors to discover, enjoy and learn about the collections, exhibitions and architecture of the Museum. Through tours and outreach services, we seek to stimulate curiosity, meet the diverse needs of visitors and provide skills for lifelong learning. For more information about joining the docent program, contact Diane Shaheen at (239) 254-2620 .

Friends of Art

Naples Museum of Art members are invited to join the Friends of Art, a 1,000-member volunteer support group for the visual arts at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts. Annual membership donations and fundraising events help underwrite gallery exhibitions, sponsor exhibition and art history lectures and fund transportation for school children to attend docent-conducted tours of gallery exhibitions. Friends of Art members receive many benefits in addition to the privileges they receive as a Museum member, including free reciprocal membership and complimentary admission to more than 100 museums nationwide with North American Reciprocal Museum Program (NARM) .

The following are important meeting dates and fund-raising events for FOA 2009-2010:

HOME IS WHERE THE ART IS ... at Moorings Park – a tour of five artful homes – Monday, November 16, 2009

Advance ticket mailing early October

TRAVEL, USA – Ultimate Insiders in New Orleans – December 3-7, 2009.

Contact Joann Duncan (239) 775-8565 for application form, costs, etc.

MEMBERS APPRECIATION DAY – Saturday, January 23, 2010

(Brunch and docent tours 9-10 a.m. in the Figge Conservatory  

ARTISTS' STUDIO TOUR – Sunday and Monday, March 7 and 8, 2010

Advance ticket mailing at the end of October

HAVE A SEAT III: Fabulous Fabrics – Sunday, March 21, 2010, 4:30 p.m., Daniels Pavilion.

LIVING WITH ART & ARCHITECTURE – Tuesday, March 23, 2010

ANNUAL MEETING – Sunday, April 11, 2010, 3 p.m., Daniels Pavilion

For any additional information about membership or any of our events, please call the Friends of Art office at:  (239) 254-2776.

Philharmonic League
  

The Naples Philharmonic League was formed in October 1986 to support and promote the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra. The League has provided more than 70,000 hours of hands-on volunteer service for the Orchestra. Since the group’s inception, various fundraising events have helped raise nearly $3 million to benefit the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and its youth music education programs. If you are interested in joining the Naples Philharmonic League please contact the League Office at (239) 254-2777.

Parties of Note

The Naples Philharmonic League is again presenting its Parties of Note fund-raisers in 2009-10. The season begins with the signature Nutcracker Gala in November 2009 and ends with the spectacular Fourth of July celebration.

Nutcracker Gala 2009

The Naples Philharmonic League will host the all-new Nutcracker Gala on Monday, November 23 at 6 p.m. A trumpet fanfare will welcome guests to an array of beautifully decorated holiday trees. Featured will be a silent auction of outstanding works of art, cocktails and a three-course dinner.

Golf and Mah Jongg Tournament
Monday, March 29 at Collier’s Reserve
Shotgun start, 1 p.m.
Mah Jongg registration/lunch at Clubhouse, 11:15 a.m.
Mah Jongg play begins, 1 p.m.
Cocktails/dinner/music, 5 p.m.

Golf and dinner: $185 per person
Dinner only: $45 per person
Mah Jongg play and lunch: $65 per person

Proceeds benefit the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra and its youth music education programs.

10K and 1-mile walk
Sunday, April 11
Registration starts at 6 a.m., Run/walk starts at 7:30 a.m.

Cost:
Through April 3: $20 10K run, $12 1-mile walk
April 4-10: $25 10K run, $12 1-mile walk
April 11 (day of): $30 10K, $12 1-mile walk

Runners and walkers will start at the Philharmonic Center with a drum cadence send-off  and The Star Spangled Banner played by the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra musicians. There will be musicians at every turn as the racers wend north then south through the lushly-landscaped community of Pelican Bay. They will finish at the porte cochere where they will receive a commemorative t-shirt, Gatorade, bagels and fruit while music fills the air. As an added bonus, famed marathoner/author Hal Higdon will be running and available for autographs of his new book, Marathon: A Novel. Don’t miss this great day designed for the whole family!

Register online: http://www.runformusic10k.com/

And don’t miss the exciting grand finale of the 2008-09 Parties of Note season:  A sensational Fourth of July buffet dinner cruise on the Naples Princess, complete with fireworks! July 4, 2009.

For information please, call the League office at 254-2777.