Executive director Elena Brokaw, left, and Board Chair Kate McLean, right, accept a donation from California Resources Corp.’s Amy Fonzo, center. Courtesy photo.
VENTURA — The Museum of Ventura County and California Resources Corporation (CRC) hosted a “Moment of Gratitude,” on Thursday, Nov. 9, to thank city and county officials and community members for their support throughout the Museum’s fiscal challenge. In a special presentation, CRC’s Amy Fonzo, manager, external relations, gave the museum a check for $5,000 to seed the museum’s new corporate giving program, and encouraged other corporations to ‘meet us or beat us’ in their support of the museum.
“CRC is a proud supporter of the Museum of Ventura County and we appreciate the diverse programming, events and exhibitions the museum provides to all of the county’s communities,” said Fonzo. “We are excited to be able to help the Museum move forward in its goal of $100,000 in corporate partnerships.”
Ventura County Community Foundations Director Vanessa Bechtel, in attendance at the event, responded by committing VCCF to a Corporate Platinum Membership of $2,500.
In addition, Elena Brokaw, who recently accepted the permanent position as executive director, introduced the Museum’s new board of directors and shared an update on the museum’s progress over the past four months, including the securing of $1.675 million in corporate and individual gifts, and the procurement of one main location in Camarillo to be used to catalog and store the museum’s extensive collection of artifacts, photography and personal memorabilia documenting more than 150 years of the region’s history. Brokaw credited TOLD Corporation’s Rod Gilbert, who is a special advisor to the Museum and was in attendance, with being instrumental in securing the new storage location.
“The museum has so many treasures that for years have been packed away in storage,” said Brokaw. “We are eager to begin a formal process of identifying and cataloging the entire collection, and expanding our programming to incorporate all of the pieces of history currently in our care.”
Brokaw also shared the museum’s five-year goal of diversifying its revenue streams and reiterated the museum’s commitment to providing exciting, relevant programming and to serving as a community gathering place.
The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. Located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001, the Museum of Ventura County is open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Visit venturamuseum.org or call 805.653.0323 for more information.