Q: What is the Contemporaries? 

A: McColl Center builds community through art collecting. The Contemporaries offers a dynamic space to engage with contemporary art, connect with artists, and explore Charlotte’s cultural scene. Through curated events and exclusive works, members experience art in a fresh, immersive way.

Q:  Why create the Contemporaries? 

A: Charlotte is ready for a program that builds community and connections to artists through collecting art. It's about understanding the soul of it all . . . the why and how of artists' artistic processes through human connection, learning about and demystifying collecting and having fun while doing so. 

Q: How does it work? 

A: You join the Contemporaries by purchasing a yearly membership. There are two levels of membership: Collector and Event. Our first year there were 9 events. Four of the events are reveals at which the commissioned artists reveal their works and share a special experience based in their creative process. Collector members will receive one art work from each of the four commissioned artists. Event members are invited to attend all Contemporaries events.

Q: What does it mean to be a Collector member? 

A:  Each collector member will receive: 

• one (1) original or limited-edition work or art from each of the four commissioned artists, 
• invitations for two to all experiences including the reveal events, 
• priority registration to all events and workshops, and  
• two (2) tickets to our Benefit Art Auction 

Q: What does it mean to be a Event member? 

A: Event Members join an inclusive community of arts enthusiasts and have access to select experiences throughout the year. This is an ideal way to sample the program if you’re not ready to commit fully! As an event member, you will receive: 

• invitations for two to all experiences. Where space is limited, priority registration will be given to Collector members. 
• early access to the Contemporaries membership. 

Q: How much does it cost? 

A: A collector membership is $1,900 and includes a plus 1 to all events. Members can also elect to pay $180 monthly. 

A supporter membership is $275 and includes a plus 1 to all non-reveal events.  

Q: How were the commissioned artists selected?  

A: We curated an eclectic mix of artists doing exciting things in the Charlotte art scene and beyond, with a variety of media, creative processes, and inspirations for their work. We chose artists that may not necessarily create small and intimate artworks regularly, to offer collectors something a little extra special and unique.  

Q:  What is a reveal event? 

A:  Collector members will receive original or limited edition works of art from each of the four commissioned artists. The works will be created specifically for the Contemporaries and so there will be an event for each artist when his/her/their works are first unveiled or revealed.  

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