History of Phoenix
The Long Beach Museum of Art has benefited enormously from Phoenix. To date, close to $1.7 million has been contributed from Phoenix fundraising events and miscellaneous contributions. Phoenix has played a key role in the growth of the Museum’s operating budget. In 1985, founding members of Phoenix planned its first event. The basic concept of hosting a benefit at a beautiful museum and inviting museum supporters, art enthusiasts and friends was successful from the beginning. An art auction was added in 1992, and by 1996 the Phoenix art auction had become the Museum’s most successful annual event. Phoenix continues to be a unique organization of civic volunteers whose goal is to improve the cultural opportunities in Long Beach and foster the growth of the Museum. The generosity of Phoenix members individually, as well as its participation collectively, have been instrumental to the success of the Long Beach Museum of Art Foundation.