Welcome
You Found Us!
At the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, we live by four powerful words:
Curate, Preserve, Educate, Inspire.
Driven by a group of passionate artists, collectors, and community leaders, our Museum was born from a shared vision to make Blowing Rock more than just a scenic stop. Their dream was to be a vibrant cultural destination for generations to come, and it’s no small feat—our town was home to just 1,260 people in 2011 and is not much bigger today!
The Museum is at the heart of how locals and visitors experience Blowing Rock, and yes, there are plenty of things to do in Blowing Rock, but there’s only one BRAHM. With free admission, dynamic changing exhibitions, and a growing permanent collection, we look forward to you visiting us time and again.
As we look to the future, we see our Museum as more than a museum. We envision ourselves reaching beyond our walls with radiant kindness, vibrancy, and open mindedness in order to foster a thriving community that enriches all who love Western North Carolina.
Oh, by the way, our friends call us BRAHM. We hope you will, too. Whether visiting us in person or exploring here on our website, take some time to get to know us. Stay connected through our E-News—we’ll keep you updated on our latest events and exhibitions without filling your inbox. Consider becoming a member—or volunteering. The opportunities of how you can engage at BRAHM are endless!
Visit and be inspired. We can’t wait to spend time with you.
This Year at BRAHM
BRAHM Rolling Strategic Plan
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Highlighted Exhibitions: Click on the title to visit the exhibition page
The Hard Edge and the Soft Line: A Retrospective of Maud Gatewood
Focus areas:
Board: Establishing Guiding Principles - finished in 2024
Staff: Breaking interdepartmental silos - finished in 2024
Docent/Volunteer: Engage new docents - finished in 2024
MAP: Develop a timeline for accreditation - pushed to 2025 due to gov. funding
Capital Expenditure - N/A
BRAHM is for all
Establish and implement a marketing plan to reach new audiences - finished in 2024
Reimagine sections of BlowingRockMuseum.org - pushed to 2025
Work to develop media partnerships for future exhibitions - finished in 2024
BRAHM strengthens its institutional foundations
Establish annual cadence for the museum’s operations - finished in 2024
Implement strategies to increase new Membership - ongoing
Professional photography of selected permanent collections items - pushed to 2025
BRAHM creates enduring partnerships
Prepare for the arrival of the Ben Long frescoes with Rumple Presbyterian - finished in 2024
Partner with local arts organizations to develop shared PR and Promotions - ongoing
Identify funding opportunities for Oasis partnership (became a focus on expressive arts therapy achieved through Hurricane Helene relief funding) - finished in 2024
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Exhibition Highlights: Click the title to view exhibition page.
Focus areas:
Board: Develop an updated Board Book and Dashboard reporting - ongoing
Updated Board Book - finished in 2025
Dashboard Reporting - pushed to 2026
Staff: Develop Workbooks for staff member - finished in 2025
Docent/Volunteer: Engage new docents - finished in 2025
Fundraise for Tondo conservation - finished in 2025
Capital Expenditures for the year:
Update restroom faucets - finished in 2025
Septic lift pumps in conjunction with the town -finished in 2025
Work on bids for HVAC updates - finished in 2025
Develop a plan for fundraising and implementation for Front Door made accessible - apply for Glass foundation funding for 2026
Develop and implement a consistent paint color throughout public spaces and begin the process to paint public spaces and not impact visitation. - finished in 2025
Update restroom mirrors - pushed to 2026
BRAHM is for all
Increase visitation on Thursday evenings with a focus on ASU students - ongoing
Increased Thursday evening visitation in general, additional focus on Appstate faculty exhibitions will drive more student engagement - finished in 2025
Increase student participation with the museum - programming, performances for receptions/private events - finished in 2025
Implement Paid summer internships, increase quantity of internships - finished in 2025
2025 calendar mailed, email and distributed via social media - finished in 2025
Distribute flyers on family literacy exhibition - finished in 2025
BRAHM strengthens its institutional foundations
Board/Staff implement dashboard reporting - pushed 2026
Develop a long term plan for Cap Expenditures - finished in 2025
Focus on building the endowment through planned giving - finished in 2026
Create and implement a plan for the review of membership levels - ongoing
Visitation is increased year over year - ongoing
BRAHM creates enduring partnerships
Partner with the BRTDA to supply photos to celebrate BRAHM’s 15th anniversary in 2026 - finished in 2025
Develop sponsorship of expressive arts therapy offerings - applied for grants awaiting award notifications
Work with Rumple Presbyterian to develop a plan for motor coach parking - pushed to 2026
Determine the possibility of charging for staff-led or docent-led adult tours - pushed to 2026
Curatorial Intern catalogs the collection of Herb Cohen and Jose Fumero, to prepare for a planned gift of art and an exhibition in 2027 - finished in 2025
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Exhibitions Highlights:
Horizon Line (develop partnerships with new lenders, and strengthen institutional relationships, humanities focus to an art history),
Patrick Dougherty: Pilgrimage (audience development, North Carolina artist, winter season draw),
Honoring Nature (academic art history - lesser known story in this region of midwest artist, develop planned gift),
Ansel Adams/George Masa (looking at governmental land conservation, art as a political tool, diverse artists),
IMLS (community engagement, regional craft, grant funded exhibit, art ed),
Photos by Allen Weiss (showing a new aspect of collection, audience engagement around creative spaces),
Field Studies (highlighting contemporary regional artists, relationship local curator and the university, America250 funded)
Focus areas:
Board: Establish a board leadership succession plan
Staff: To nurture a culture of stewardship
Docent/Volunteer: Engage new docents create new focus tours
MAP: Community and Audience Engagement - application due 11/21/25
Develop institutional goals for exhibitions
Capital Expenditures:
Painting of public spaces
Replace humidifiers
Bring entrances and bathroom stall doors to full ADA compliance
BRAHM is for All
Presentation of IMLS results to the County Commissioners
Presentation of annual exhibitions prepared and delivered by staff members to a variety of community groups, including WAC, Rotary and TDA and Chamber
Honor the 15th anniversary of BRAHM in the Community with:
Founder’s Lucheon
Promotion with Local Restaurants
Public Party, October 1, 2025
Premier the updated introductory film - 5/28/26
Community visualizes BRAHM@ 25 years old, establishing a visual plan for the next 10 years
Fundraise for digital accessibility - website updates, paid fellowship to implement changes
BRAHM strengthens its institutional foundations
Board considers An Endowment Campaign to Celebrate BRAHM’s 15th Anniversary
Replace CRM to create a better visitor experience
Implement new Membership levels as recommended by the Board
Completion of IMLS Inspire Grant with Exhibition
Plan for next Inspire Grant request
Create marketing materials for potential traveling exhibitions
Curatorial Intern to develop target list of Museums and potential partner institutions
BRAHM creates enduring partnerships
Partner with NEA for conservation of the Tondo - pending grant award
Expand work with the Watauga County Schools as well as adjacent counties to increase field trip participation.
Home Schools participation in field trips
Build on the relationship established through the IMLS Inspire Grant to continue work with the area senior populations
Continue to build on relationships with neighboring houses of worship. Rumple Presbyterian the Ben Long Frescos, St. Mary’s of the Hills and the Tour of Homes
WIth the Garden Club of Blowing Rock, create a native plant garden to coincide with a 2027 exhibition.
2021
2024
2023
2022
2020
View the 2021 annual meeting at the link below.
2019
Annual Reports
2018
Previous years
View the 2022 annual meeting at the link below.
For additional reports, including 990 tax filings, please contact officemanager@blowingrockmuseum.org or 828-295-9099 ex: 3003
Our Community Partners
We are grateful for the support of our business and nonprofit partners. Please demonstrate your gratitude for their generosity by supporting these local businesses and organizations.
Business Sponsors
Business Members
Our Business Members support the museum's operations through their annual membership.
Partners
Our Partners give support through the donation of in-kind gifts and services.
Blue Ridge National Heritage Area | Blue Ridge Craft Trails & Blue Ridge Music Trails
Center for Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University