The affiliate groups of The Mint Museums provide members with additional opportunities to become involved in the Museums through volunteering, educational and social events. Each organization presents unique insights into the Museum and the Arts. Find your area of interest in the groups listed and become a part of the inside exciteMINT!

Charlotte Garden Club
Established in 1924, the Charlotte Garden Club was organized to further knowledge of horticulture through programs and projects under guidance of experts in the field. The Charlotte Garden Club landscapes and maintains the gardens at the Mint and decorates the Mint each December. Meetings are held on the 3rd Monday evening of the month. New members are welcome year round. The annual dues are $35 for individuals and $50 for couples. For more information on joining the Charlotte Garden Club, please call membership at 704-337-2010.

Delhom Service League
The Delhom Service League was organized in 1972 following the arrival of Miss M. Mellanay Delhom and her outstanding ceramics collection of historical pottery and porcelain. Delhom Service League members assist in the Delhom-Gambrell Library, prepare and present research papers, attend and conduct orientation classes, present programs, arrange lectures by visiting scholars and tour other museums. Special programs and seminars organized by the League have brought national and international speakers, visitors and acclaim to the Mint Museum of Art. Special events, such as the annual Potters Market International held each fall, help support the acquisition of ceramics and library material for the Mint. Dues are $25 for Active members and $35 for Associate members. For more information, please call membership at 704-337-2010.

Docents of the Mint
The Mint Museums’ Docents are volunteer members of the Education Division who engage visitors by leading tours and programs related to the Museums’ collections and special exhibitions. A thorough training program prepares docents with teaching skills and helps develop their knowledge of aesthetics and the history of art. The Docents look for people who have the ability to communicate effectively with a group, an education background or strong interest in art, and a warm and friendly attitude. Dues are $10 for Active Docents and $20 for Associate Docents. For an application or more information, please contact the Education staff at 704-337-2032.

Founders' Circle
The Founders’ Circle Ltd. partners with the Mint Museum of Craft + Design to promote appreciation of contemporary craft and design. Founders’ Circle members enjoy national and international travel opportunities including visits to museums, art schools, artist’s studios and private collections. Other benefits include invitations to the annual Founders’ Circle Weekend, the Mint Condition Gala, and curator-led tours of special exhibitions at the craft museum. Local Founders’ Circle members also enjoy Silver Circle benefits with The Mint Museums. Annual dues for a Founders’ Circle General Member are $1,000. For more information call 704-337-2008 or visit the website www.founderscircle.org.

Apprentice Circle
The Apprentice Circle, an affiliate of the Founders’ Circle, is a support organization designed specifically for individuals up to age 50. The group’s mission is to cultivate supporters of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design and develop collecting skills through hands-on, educational and volunteer experiences. For more information on Apprentice Circle, call 704-337-2008 or visit the website www.apprenticecircle.org.

Friends of the Mint
The Friends of the Mint was organized in 1965 to stimulate interest in and support the Arts. The Friends sponsor a series of lectures featuring nationally and internationally renowned speakers in the art world that are open to the public for free with museum admission. These lectures are held once a month from September through May. The Friends also visit other cities, museums and galleries to explore the diverse art scene in different communities. Membership in the Friends is required for these trips. Dues are $25 per year. If you are interested, you can either attend a Friends’ meeting or call membership at 704-337-2010.

Mint Museum Auxiliary
Organized in 1956, the Auxiliary was formed to receive and administer funds exclusively for the Mint. The Auxiliary raises money through their annual Home Tour & Gala each spring. Proceeds go to purchase acquisitions for the Mint and to educational projects. Auxiliary members must give 36 hours of service to projects that benefit the Mint and purchase or sell two tickets to Auxiliary events. Active and Associate members may sponsor or co-sponsor candidates who show an interest in the Mint and a willingness to participate in programs and projects that benefit the Museum. Dues are $50 for Active members and $65 for Associate members. For more information, call the Auxiliary Office at 704-337-2010.

Young Affiliates of the Mint (YAMS)
The Young Affiliates of the Mint was established in 1990 to encourage young professionals to become involved with The Mint Museums. The Young Affiliates sponsor both social and fundraising events such as the annual Mint after 5 series, featuring live music on the rooftop of the Mint Museum of Craft + Design; Derby Days, a viewing party of the Kentucky Derby on the front lawn of the Mint Museum of Art; and the Black & White Ball, a semi-formal inspired by Truman Capote&srquo;s celebrated masquerade ball of 1966. Educational opportunities include the ARTitudes series, which combines evening socials with lectures on such topics as collecting art and antiques, and allows members to explore the local and regional art scene through gallery crawls, hands-on activities and visits to area museums. For more information on the Young Affiliates and upcoming events, please call the Young Affiliates Coordinator at 704-337-2010 or visit www.youngaffiliates.org.