Piemonte 2002		Portogallo 2003		Dallas 2006
New York 2006		Chicago 2008		Circle Dinner 2010

HISTORY AND MISSION

In 1982, two years after the official opening of the museum, the first membership group which was aptly named “Junior Members” was born. Later, during 1996, the group was renamed the Guggenheim Circle, and in subsequent years the Peggy Guggenheim Collection has received increasing requests for membership to this dynamic and exclusive community of modern and contemporary art enthusiasts.
Associates of the Guggenheim Circle enjoy the unique opportunity to participate in an ongoing program of special events, excursions and conferences which take place in both Italy and, in cases where selected international exhibitions and cultural events take place, also abroad. It is the membership group themselves who foster and contribute to the rich network of supporters by personally extending invites to select new members. The unique way in which this membership base is structured facilitates cultural exchanges between participants, ensuring that all members continue to share and unite through common interests and objectives.
The Guggenheim Circle consists of members throughout Italy and has a distinguished succession of presidents from Silvio Chiari to Giò Marconi, Lucia Riello and Gianattilio Usoni. Luca Massimo Barbero held the position of Vice President, and from 2011, the Circle has been overseen by Giulio Avon. The Vice President is Patrizia Spadafora Berloffa.

The Guggenheim Circle is committed to supporting the museum through the generation of funds for the purpose of enriching the permanent collection through the acquisition of new works. Since 2006, a watercolour by Lucio Fontana, ink on paper by David Smith as well as a fine pen drawing on paper by Dadamaino have been purchased for the collection. Throughout 2010 the Circle was actively engaged in an important campaign for the acquisition of a pair of earrings which belonged to Peggy Guggenheim, and were designed by Yves Tanguy.

Lucio Fontana		David Smith		Dadamaino
Study for a Ceiling (Studio per Soffitto), 1952–55 India ink, watercolor, and pencil on cardboard, 25.3 x 55.5 cm Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Venice Purchased with funds given by the Guggenheim Circle, Venice 2006.50 © Fondazione Lucio Fontana. Milan		Untitled, 1931 Ink on paper, 42 x 35 cm Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Venice Purchased with funds contributed by the Guggenheim Circle, Venice 2007.151		The Facts of Life. Letter No. 12 (I fatti della vita, Lettera 12), 1980 India ink on paper, 205 x 98 cm Solomon R. Guggeneheim Foundation, Venice Purchased with funds given by the Guggenheim Circle and The International Friends, Venice 2009.37

BENEFITS

• Personalized Membership Card and complimentary guest card
  
• Free admission to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and to Guggenheim museums in New York, Berlin, Bilbao
• Circle members travel program
• Invitation to the activities of the Amici membership level
• Invitations to exhibition openings at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
• Free admission to Italian modern and contemporary art museums
• Complimentary catalog of the permanent collection at the time of joining and annual catalog of one museum’s Exhibition discounts at Guggenheim stores and cafés
• Membership information and magazine sent to your home address
• Discounts at Guggenheim stores and cafés
• Access to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection library
• Discounted rental of the audio-guide for the permanent collection