2026 Spring Appeal | Mingei International Museum

Dear Friend,

On behalf of all of us at Mingei, thank you for being such an important part of our creative community. Your support ensures that folk art, craft, and design remain accessible and deeply connected to the people we serve. 

At a time when public funding for the arts is shifting rapidly, including the City of San Diego’s recent proposal to eliminate all arts grant funding, we’re especially grateful for the generosity that sustains Mingei’s mission.

This moment matters. These changes present real challenges, but what will not change is our commitment: to artists, to community, and to the belief that art belongs to everyone. 

Because of you, Mingei remains accessible to visitors of all ages: 

  • We have provided free gathering space for more than 57 artists and nonprofit organizations through our Community Mondays initiative. 
  • Mini Mingei, our twice-monthly preschool program, is free for all families throughout the spring and summer. 
  • Full scholarships are available for all four weeks of Summer at Mingei camp.
  • Teens at Mingei, a new program this year, offers paid internships for high school students and real-world exposure to careers in the arts. 
  • Make at Mingei, our popular monthly hands-on art event, remains free and open to all.  

In the coming months, we will also introduce free artist memberships for nearly 100 local artists who have collaborated with Mingei in recent years, deepening our investment in the creative community that makes this Museum so special. Your ongoing support helps propel this important work. 

As we approach the close of our fiscal year on June 30, I invite you to make a gift to our Spring Giving Campaign. In a moment like this, your contribution is not only impactful—it is affirming. It ensures that artists are elevated, that families have access, and that creativity remains a shared resource in our community.

Donors who give $100 or more receive this custom tote.

As a token of our appreciation, gifts of $100 or more will receive a special limited-edition “art is for everyone” Mingei tote bag.

This is a pivotal moment, and your support makes it possible for Mingei to meet it with strength, clarity, and purpose.

Thank you for helping us continue this meaningful work.

With gratitude,

Jessica Hanson York 
Executive Director & CEO

Thank you for supporting the 2026 Spring Appeal!

Donors as of June 23, 2026

Anonymous

Michael and Holly Adams

Prudence and Michael Arbib

Susan Aurand and Jay Evarts

Elaine Baldwin in memory of Marilee Hong 

Lori Baxter

Maurine Beinbrink

William Bergner

David E. Boufford

Geraldine Brech

Dr. Mary Ann Calcott

Betty Carr

Linda Coates

Dr. Nancy R. Cohen

Vern and Jeanene Cook

Karen and McDermot Coutts

Ann Rea Craig

Davis Family Trust Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation

Thomas Denewiler

Magdalena Donea

Barbara Doren

Susan Drews

Joann Driggers

Jeane F. Erley

Elisabeth Etchell

Danté Farenga and Tim Wolfe

Barbara Ford

Theresa Friederich-Takasugi and Wayne Takasugi

Catherine R. Friedman

Victoria Fu

Chong-Min Fu-Sosnaud

Karen and Tom Gammiere

Joyce M. Gattas, PhD

Bonnie Gibbs

Brian Grapilon

Marti Gray

Gail and Douglas Hall

Dr. Emily Hanna and Mr. Anthony Bingham

Andrea Hanson and Chris Szwedo

Dr. Karen L. Helrich and Mr. Bertram Edelstein

Janis Henricks

Silvia Heubach and Kenneth Regas

Carol C. Hill in memory of Marilee Hong 

Carol F. Hinrichs

Rochelle Jacobs

Kate and Jeff Jeffery

Lisa Johnson

David Jones and Joseph Hernandez

Michael and Patricia Kelly

Heather and Ron Kerner

Laura Kertz and David Milsom

Martha King

Aiden Kinsley

Ralph T. and June K. Kubo

Theresa F. Lai in memory of Jean Kockinos

Elizabeth Lancaster

Caroline Lara

Gail A. Laughlin

Lorna Leyton

Amparo Lima-Young

Robin J. Lipman

Lauren Maeda

Allison Manch in memory of Marilee Hong 

Kay Martens

Christine McFadden

Erin McGinn

Douglas and Susan McLeod

Caitlin Mello

Terry Mendez

Pat and John Minnich

Laura Monterosso

Judith Morgan

Carolynn Mueller-Crooks

Caroline and Nick Nordquist

Ann and Darwin Olsen

Virginia S. Patch

Ms. Julie Peters

Nina and Chuck Podhorsky

Vicki and Jack Reed

Jane Rieger

Rebeca Rivera

Patricia Rutledge

Paul Schatz and Juan Carlos Ruiz

Donna Seecof

Barbara Skidmore

Anne Sloop in memory of Danny Wolmer

Elisabeth Spiegelberg

Jeanette Stevens

Shirley Taves and Dennis Ferguson

Kathy L. Taylor

Mary and Ron Taylor

Molly McCormick Thornton

Christine Tilton and Spencer Rudey

Patricia L. Waller

Kathy and Jim Waring

Deborah Warriner

Sara Whitehead

Lynn and William Whitehouse

Carole Wilson and Robert Brandt