Gala in the Gardens
Join us to celebrate Art & Nature on June 13!
Gala in the Gardens is back at the Arboretum's main gardens and grounds in 2024 with a theme of Art & Nature. Hosted by the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation Board of Trustees, the Gala in the Gardens is the Arboretum’s signature annual fundraising event.
Designed to delight the senses on a summer evening, this event includes a cocktail reception, dinner al fresco, live and silent auctions and an inspiring program with emcee Belinda Jensen, KARE 11's Chief Meteorologist.
We offer two ticket options for the Gala.
- Individual $325 ($125 tax deductible)
- Patron $575 ($325 tax deductible)
- Purchasing a patron ticket provides greater support for the Arboretum’s mission. Your ticket includes recognition on our website and in our program along with an invitation to the Patron Reception where you can connect with other patrons and sponsors as well as Arboretum leadership.
We invite you to sponsor Gala in the Gardens, the annual signature fundraising event that supports the mission
and work of the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Last year, more than 400 guests attended the event and raised nearly $500,000 in support of the Arboretum.
For 2024, Gala in the Gardens is back in the Arboretum’s main gardens and grounds with a theme of Art & Nature.
Supporting the Gala in the Gardens will help support the general operating and capital expenses of the Arboretum and continue to support the art and artists whose work draws more than 600,000 visitors every year!
Sponsorship Levels:
- Presenting Sponsorship: $30,000
- Platinum Sponsorship: $20,000
- Gold Sponsorship: $10,000
- Silver Sponsorship: $5,000
Learn more about sponsorship levels and benefits
For more information, contact Carissa Vincent, Development Officer, at 612-301-1237 or [email protected].
Monday, June 10
- Let the bidding begin! The auction opens at midnight.
Thursday, June 13
- 4:45 p.m. Check-in open for Patron Reception
- 5-6 p.m. Patron Reception (for Sponsor and Patron ticket holders)
- 6 p.m. Check-in begins at the Oswald Visitor Center in the Great Hall (for all ticket holders)
- 6-7:15 p.m. Cocktail reception, outdoor sculpture exhibit opening, silent auction & raffle in Annual and Perennial Gardens
- 7:30-9 p.m. Dinner and program in Sensory Garden
- 9 p.m. Program conclusion, auction pick up and check out in Oswald Visitor Center
The 2024 Gala in the Gardens Fund-a-Need will support current and future art initiatives throughout the Arboretum, including engaging gallery exhibitions, outdoor sculptures and garden design, interpretive and experiential art, and educational installations that explore and celebrate the communities and perspectives across our region.
2024 Gala Co-Chairs:
Linda Cutler and Alene G. Sussman
Gala Committee:
- Jennifer Allen
- Elizabeth Berg
- Susan Campbell
- Judy Fulk
- Jaime Gearhart
- Kim Heiar
- Isabel Keating
- Betsy Massie
- Simon May
- Mary Ella Pratte
- Ruth Ann Swanson
- Georgia Thompson
- Carissa Vincent
The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Foundation is a 501(c)3 tax-deductible organization.
Event inquiries can be emailed to Kim Erickson Heiar at [email protected].
Presenting Sponsor
Cynthia & Donald MacMillan
Platinum Sponsor
Jeannine Rivet & Warren Herreid
Gold Sponsors
Carmen and Jim Campbell
Lorin DeBonte
Georgia & Jim Thompson
Jenny Verner
Silver Sponsors
Bolton & Menk
Hawkins, Inc.
Medical Alley
Solution Blue
U of M Foundation
Jennifer and Mark Allen & Judy and Howard Fulk
Barbara Bachman
Patrick and Andrea Bassett & Betsy and John Massie
Elizabeth Berg
Linda and Ken Cutler
Amy and Van Hapka & Linda and Myron Tank
Dave Huml and Britta Hovey
Lori Johnson and James MacKay
Kathy and Steve Persian & Alene and Anthony Sussman
Mary Ella Pratte and David Donahoo
Glenn and Carrie Stolar
Visitors are welcome to explore the 3 indoor, rotating exhibitions and then visit the grounds to see the collections along Three-Mile Drive and in the Harrison Sculpture Garden. Learn more about the various art collections at the Arboretum before celebrating art with us at the Gala!
