Shemer Expansion & Legacy Campaign

In 2020 the Shemer Art Center launched a campaign to expand its visual art presence in Arcadia. At that time we were focused on acquiring the parcel and home to our immediate south, which was for sale. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Shemer Art Center, like many businesses in Phoenix, made the decision to temporarily close. Luckily, we were able to open again June 1 to hold Summer Camps for children ages 6-13 and were able to remain open after that without incident. Being able to do this at a time when most Summer Camps were cancelled and art centers closed confirmed to us the value of the Shemer Art Center. We revived our initiative and our Expansion & Legacy Campaign prevailed with fundraising continuing throughout 2021.
Now, after undergoing a lengthy due-diligence process, we are actively pursuing the opportunity to construct a purpose-built building on our own land. This new, state-of-the-art structure will be specifically designed to allow us to expand our highly desired offerings and legacy in Arizona, yet still remain within our current property boundaries.
Proposed Shemer Art Center New Building Location
A NEW BUILDING WILL PROVIDE THE SHEMER ART CENTER WITH:
- additional space for more visual art classes, workshops, and lectures for adults;
- more classrooms for a second set of Summer Camps, currently reaching over 130 children/month ages 6–13;
- more space for a second After-School or Saturday Art Club for children ages 8-14, from public and Title I schools;
- additional rooms for art classes for teens, ages 12-18;
- more storage space; and
- the opportunity to hire more instructors, and support and showcase more Arizona artists!
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO WATCH OUR INITIAL VIDEO, SHOWCASING THE SUPPORT OF MAYOR GALLEGO AND COUNCILMAN SAL DICICCIO:
The expansion of the Shemer Art Center will allow us to potentially double our impact within the community! Our campaign also includes additional site landscaping, with an extended lawn and defined hardscape areas for events, plus additional sculptures, showcasing more Arizona artists!
We are seeking donors like Martha Shemer, who are interested in showing their support of the arts, giving back to the community, and strengthening the legacy of this Arcadia neighborhood gem.

PLEASE CLICK ON ONE OF THE LINKS ABOVE FOR MORE INFORMATION OR READ ABOUT A NEW WAY TO CONTRIBUTE BELOW:
SHEMER EXPANSION & LEGACY CAMPAIGN
DONOR LEVELS
FOUNDER Name on Educational Building
- $500,000 | Naming rights for the new building, in perpetuity
- Name to be approved by City of Phoenix Parks Board upon donation of building to city.
Additional benefits include a 10-year Benefactor ($5,000) membership to the Shemer Art Center, invitation to private previews of all exhibitions prior to public opening, use of venue for one private event per year for 10 years, name on donor wall inside home as Founder, and recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
FOUNDER’S CLUB Name on Founders Sculpture to be Created for Grounds
- $250,000 | Naming rights for the sculpture garden (one donor)
- $150,000 | Naming rights for the entry lecture area (one donor)
- $100,000 | Naming rights for one of three gallery rooms (first three donors)
Additional benefits include a 10-year Sustaining ($2,500) membership to the Shemer Art Center, invitation to private preview of all exhibitions prior to public opening, name on donor wall inside home as part of Founder’s Club, and recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
LEGACY CLUB Name on a Shemer Art Center Art Studio or the Gift Shop
- $50,000 | Naming rights for one of four art studios (first four donors)
- $25,000 | Naming rights for gift shop (one donor)
Additional benefits include a 10-year Advocate ($1,000) membership to the Shemer Art Center, name on donor wall inside home as part of Legacy Club, and recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
ARTISTS CIRCLE Sponsorship of a Shemer Art Center Exhibition or Art Lecture
- $20,000 | Sponsorship of five visual art exhibitions (one each year for five years),
- i.e. “Sponsored by the Smith Family” or “John Smith” (first 10 donors).
- $10,000 | Sponsorship of five art lectures (one each year for five years),
- i.e. “Sponsored by the Smith Family” or “John Smith” (first 12 donors)
Additional benefits include name on donor wall inside home as part of Artists Circle, and recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
PATRONS CIRCLE Name recognition on custom-made ceramic tiles, to be used in design for wall or walkway
- $5,000 | Name recognition in honor of on large, diamond-shaped tile
- $2,500 | Name recognition in honor of on medium-size square tile
- $1,000 | Name (only) recognition on small rectangle tile
Additional benefits include recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
To entice our surrounding neighbors further, we have added a new sponsorship category: NEIGHBORS CIRCLE – Name recognition on bricks, to be used in design for walkway.
- $750 | Name recognition for a family or in honor of someone on large square brick
- $500 | Name recognition for or in honor of someone on medium-size square brick
- $250 | Name (only) recognition on small rectangle brick
Additional benefits include recognition on Shemer Art Center website.
To donate at the Neighbor Circle level please call the Shemer Art Center at 602-262-4727 or submit a pledge form.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT SHONNA JAMES, [email protected]
THANK YOU!