Mission

American Friends Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie (AFMO) is a non-profit organization with a mission to raise public awareness and financial support for the Musée d’Orsay and its sister institution, the Musée de l’Orangerie. AFMO provides critical support for the museums’ special exhibitions, education programs, conservation efforts, and gallery improvements.

Since its founding in 2009, AFMO has nurtured French-American friendship and partnerships in the arts on behalf of the two museums.

Auguste Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette (detail), En 1876. Legs Gustave Caillebotte, 1894 © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt

History

Since its founding in 2009, AFMO has been based in both Paris and New York.

The Paris office works closely with the teams at the Musée d’Orsay and the Musée de l’Orangerie to initiate fundraising initiatives in Paris and beyond. All year long, the team hosts private tours and events for members to discover the museums’ permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. They also take advantage of the Paris art life and heritage to further contextualize the collections of both the Orsay and the Orangerie with offsite private visits and walking tours.

The New York office drives fundraising initiatives across the U.S. and develops an event calendar in conjunction with the program and events at the Orsay and the Orangerie, including when exhibitions travel to America. They also open doors to discover private collections and art studios.

Every October, AFMO holds a fundraising weekend in Paris, with a four-day program that includes private visits and tours as well as a gala evening at the Musée d’Orsay. The gala weekend attracts American patrons who travel to Paris in support of the two Musées.

Young patrons can join AFMO and enjoy special access to both the Orsay and Orangerie museums, as well as events including the annual Gala in Paris.

Frances Benjamin Johnston, Bureau du Pan American Union Building. Vers 1908-1910. Cyanotype. Don American Friends of the Musée d'Orsay, 2018 © Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Patrice Schmidt

Timeline

  • 2008 - With the support of Director Guy Cogeval, Dr. Seonaid McArthur and Sherry Johnson develop a structure and plan to form the American Friends group to raise funds for the Musée d’Orsay

  • 2009 - The Founding Board of Directors is formed. American Friends of the Musée d’Orsay (AFMO) is approved as an US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

  • 2010 - The Orangerie and Orsay museums join administratively. AFMO offices are formed inside the Musée d’Orsay. The Board continues to expand. A Framework Agreement with the Musée d’Orsay is established. A Paris Committee is formed to plan AFMO’s first gala.

  • 2011 - AFMO celebrates its formal announcement at the American Embassy in Paris. A Founders’ Gala celebrates is held on November 12 to celebrate AFMO’s launch.

  • 2012 - A Framework for Gifts of Art from Americans to the Musée d’Orsay is signed, laying the groundwork for future gifts. A second gala is held featuring the exhibition Impressionism in Fashion.

  • 2013 - AFMO hosts its first annual Weekend in Paris fundraiser in October.

  • 2016 - Spencer and Marlene Hays pledge their collection of more than 600 masterworks to the Orsay.

  • 2019 - AFMO confirms its support of the Contemporary Art programs at the Orsay and the Orangerie.

  • 2021 - AFMO celebrates its 10th Gala anniversary in Paris.

  • 2023 - AFMO becomes American Friends Musées d’Orsay et de l’Orangerie.

  • 2024 - AFMO commemorates the 150th anniversary of Impressionism by supporting the exhibition Paris 1874. Inventing Impressionism and developing an Impressionist season.

© Musée d’Orsay, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais