For over forty years, The Bascom has inspired and empowered individuals and communities through seeing, thinking, and doing, grounded in a commitment to accessibility and meaningful connection through the visual arts. As we look toward the next chapter of our story, we are strengthening the foundation that supports our work and ensures that creative connections continue to thrive on the Plateau for generations to come. Informed by more than five years of planning, facilities assessment, and a completed feasibility study, Framing the Future: The Bascom Campaign for Building Community and Honoring Legacy reflects a thoughtful, forward-looking approach to growth that balances artistic vision with financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
A Vision Rooted in
Building Community
and Honoring Legacy
Campaign Overview
A Thoughtful Plan for the Future
- ENSURES The Bascom remains financially sound while supporting long-term sustainability and resilient revenue streams.
- PRIORITIZES enclosing and expanding The Terrace with a minimum of $4M in support to create a year-round gathering space for art, community, and milestone celebrations.
- GROWS The Bascom's endowment with a minimum of $2M in support to sustain free exhibitions, education, and outreach for future generations.
The Terrace
Creating Space for Connection
At the heart of The Bascom campus is The Terrace, a vital gathering place for exhibitions, artist talks, festivals, and milestone celebrations. While central to our shared creative life, its canvas walls, lack of climate control, and exposure to unpredictable weather limit its ability to fully support year-round programming. With your support, we will transform The Terrace into a year-round, allweather gathering space. Retractable windows will preserve mountain views and open-air beauty while ensuring comfort and confidence for programs and events.
Key Points
- The Terrace serves as a central gathering place for exhibitions, artist talks, festivals, and milestone celebrations.
- Canvas walls, lack of climate control, and unpredictable weather limit year-round use.
- Enclosing and expanding The Terrace will create a comfortable, all-weather space while preserving mountain views.
- This transformation will ensure consistent access to art, education, and celebration in every season.
- The Terrace priority requires a minimum of $4M in private support.
The Endowment
Building a Foundation for the Future
The second priority of Framing the Future is to grow The Bascom’s endowment, currently with a corpus of $1.5 million, strengthening the long-term sustainability and resilience of The Bascom. A stronger endowment ensures that we can continue to offer accessible, high-quality art experiences while safeguarding resources for generations to come.
Key Points
- Provides reliable support for free exhibitions, scholarships, residencies, and outreach programs.
- Protects the financial stability needed to maintain our campus and expand partnerships.
- The endowment priority inspires to reach a minimum of $2M in private gifts to grow sustainable funding in perpetuity.
Learn More
A Campaign for Community and Legacy
Framing the Future: The Bascom Campaign for Building Community and Honoring Legacy is a comprehensive campaign, where every gift makes a difference. The collective impact of philanthropy will provide innumerable opportunities for our communities and the visual arts. Join us today by making a gift of a meaningful amount to you.
Contact The Bascom to discuss giving opportunities through outright gifts or multi year pledges at development@thebascom. org or by contacting the Director of Development at 828.787.2897.
Framing the Future Committee
Co-Chairs
Mark Mahaffey
David Bock
Members
Andy Adams, Margaret Denny, Ruthie Edwards, Kendra Hildbold, Rick Hildbold, Dianne Mall, Myron Mall, John Rymer, Rusty Stewart, Charley Tarver, Susan Tarver, Marcia Weber, Ann Wrobleski
Ex-Officios
Chair of the Board: Bill Jump
Vice Chair of the Board: Charlene Palmisano
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Visit: 323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741 (Map It)
Call: 828-526-4949 (Main)
828-787-2892 (Ceramics Studio)
This project was supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Learn more at NCArts.org
Funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Learn more at SouthArts.org.
Funding is due in part to a Tourism Grant with Visit Highlands, NC. Learn more HighlandsChamber.org