The Newport Art Museum has launched the Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney Society, a new fund to support ambitious exhibition programming. The initiative was previewed at the Members' Show Exhibition and will be announced at the Julie Keyes Gallery Pop Up at Palm Beach Modern Auctions on February 13. The fund will support major projects including 'Sheila Isham: Between Worlds' opening July 10 and a 2028 exhibition on Edward Mitchell Bannister developed with multiple partners. The society is named after Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, a charter member of the Newport Art Association and influential arts patron.
The launch marks a period of significant growth for the museum, which has recently presented acclaimed exhibitions such as 'Christo and Jeanne-Claude: Ocean Front, 50 Years Later' and 'Sean Landers: Lost at Sea.' The fund ensures curatorial excellence and community engagement, with society members receiving recognition on exhibition materials and VIP access. This initiative strengthens the museum's ability to connect Newport's artistic heritage with contemporary voices, building on momentum from recent programming.