The Museum
Guilds
New England Quilt Museum Auxiliary, Inc.
The New England Quilt Museum Auxiliary, Inc. was formed in 1998 as an outgrowth of the New England Quilters Guild. The Guild had been formed in 1976 by a group of dedicated quilters who decided that a quilt museum was needed in New England.
To help bring this dream to reality, Janet Elwin organized the first New England Images quilt show in 1983. With the help of many dedicated Guild members, the show was held at the Topsfield, MA, fairgrounds for 12 days.
The New England Quilt Museum was established in 1987 and opened in its present location on Shattuck Street in Lowell, MA, on July 24, 1993.
The mission of the New England Quilt Museum Auxiliary, Inc., is to promote quilting by supporting the work of the New England Quilt Museum. The show in 2006 will be the tenth Images, which is the primary way the Auxiliary raises funds for the museum. Additional special exhibits are arranged under the aegis of the Lowell Quilt Festival, and other local museums and galleries participate to make this a citywide event.
Guilds can become members of the NEQMA and help the Auxiliary achieve its mission. Member guilds receive 3 guest passes to the museum and copies of 3 directories: Guilds, Teachers, and Services. The directories are a compilation of information of interest to guilds and individual quilters. In addition, member guilds receive advance notice of museum activities and Lowell Quilt Festival information. Fall and Spring Luncheons are held at the museum for guild representatives to network with each other and stay informed on museum activities. All of these benefits are included in an annual guild auxiliary membership of only $15. If your guild or quilting group is interested in joining the NEQMA please email membership@nequiltmuseum.org
The museum now offers free admission for all New England Quilt Museum Auxilliary and supporting quilting guild members on the 4th Sunday of each month from 12 to 4pm.
New England Quilt Museum and Quilt Guilds
New England boasts one of the country’s most active regional guild networks. There are approximately 150 guilds in the six New England states. One hundred guilds are members of NEQMA, the museum’s Auxiliary. It is amazing the ways guilds have helped the museum survive and thrive. The guilds have been a cornerstone of the New England Quilt Museum since it was founded in 1987 and they continue to provide inspiration and support. More than that they do it with such creativity.
How do guilds support NEQM?- Many guilds bought “bricks” between 1995-1998 to pay off the mortgage.
- Guilds make quilts, raffle them and donate the income to the museum.
- Others hold auctions and split the money raised between NEQM and local charities.
- Several guilds have donated a quilt for NEQM to raffle at the museum.
- Several guilds have helped pay for exhibitions or programs at NEQM.
- Guilds have provided delicious receptions for exhibition openings. Reception partner PDF
- Guilds have “adopted a quilt” in the collection and paid to have it professionally conserved.
- Guilds have donated leftover items from their Quilt Show boutique to sell in the shop. Donate to shop PDF
- Guilds purchase gift baskets from the museum shop to use as giveaways or gifts
- Guilds have donated quilting fabric for our Community Programs and Text and Textile event
- Guilds have made bags for our It’s In the Bag auction
- Guild Representatives keep their members informed on museum activities and organize guild trips to the museum.
- Guilds donate to the museum’s Guild Annual Appeal Guild sponsor levels PDF
- Guilds create named funds in the museum’s endowment to help ensure the future of the institution. Learn more about the endowment managed by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation
- Guilds donate items to Images for the live auction and help support the Lowell Quilt Festival with volunteer hours and by placing ads in their program booklets.
- Guilds can also place ads in their quilt show program booklets for the museum. Contact Chrissy Inge, PR and Marketing Manager, for an ad at pubrel@nequiltmuseum.org, or 978-452-4207, ext. 19. Please include the date that the ad will run and the size you need.
IMAGES 2010
New England Quilt Museum
Member Guild Challenge
“From Lobstah to Green Monstah: What's Best About New England”
As part of Images 2010, the Lowell Quilt Festival and the New England Quilt Museum have issued a First Annual Challenge to member guilds. The rules of the challenge are outlined below. Challenge entries will be featured in a Special Exhibit at the Images Quilt Show, August 12-14, 2010. Entries will then be donated to the New England Quilt Museum for a fund-raiser event to take place at a later date.
Challenge Rules:
- Eligibility: One (1) quilt from each NEQM Member Guild. The guild’s entry may be made by multiple guild members or by one person representing the entire guild.
- Size: The quilt’s perimeter must measure no more than 144 inches and no less than 96 inches. The quilt need not be square.
- Usage of Blocks: The quilt must include one or more “Mariner Compass” and/or “Delectable Mountains” blocks.
- Your quilt may be original or traditional in design, pieced or appliquéd, and embellished in any way you choose. It must be hand or machine quilted with a binding, and must have a 3-inch hanging sleeve.
- Due Date: June 30, 2010.
- Quilts must be delivered to: The New England Quilt Museum, Images 2010 Quilt Show “Special Exhibit”, 18 Shattuck St Lowell, MA 01852
- For more information or assistance please contact: Jacque Z. Thompson, IMAGES 2010 Jacque.thompson@gmail.com
Thank you for participating in the NEQM Guild challenge. We look forward to seeing your guild’s entry in this Special Exhibit.