Friends of MetLiveArts: Firebirds

The Firebirds are visionary patrons and core advocates for MetLiveArts, the Museum's performance program. Like Stravinsky and Diaghilev's ballet and orchestral work, The Firebird (the group's namesake), MetLiveArts bridges old and new, embraces tradition and experimentation, celebrates folk idiom and high culture, and combines the disciplines of dance, music, opera, theater, and hybrids with the visual arts—thus creating explosive, thrilling, and illuminating new works of art. Performances often take place in The Met's galleries and unique spaces, enriching the relationship between the visitor and works of art in the Museum.

Annual support of the Firebirds includes VIP social events in Museum spaces and private homes; curator-led, after-hours exhibition tours; cocktail receptions with artists before or after scheduled MetLiveArts performances; visits to contemporary artists' studios; and privileged access to Frieze art fair.

Firebirds Annual Dues: $6,000  (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Under-Forty Firebirds Annual Dues: $4,000  (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Firebird Fellows Annual Dues: $10,000 (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Friends of MetLiveArts: Firebirds also receive the benefits of a Patron Circle Membership at The Met, including:

• free, express admission to all of The Met's locations with up to four accompanied guests;
• special access to the collection and new exhibitions during Morning Hours, Preview Days, Evening Receptions, and The Met After Hours;
• invitations to Members-only events, concerts, and curator talks;
• access to the Members-only spaces in the Museum;
• 10% discount on all public restaurants and venues at The Met, The Met Cloisters, and The Met Store;
• subscriptions to the What's On calendar and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin; and
• reciprocal benefits at sixteen museums nationwide.

Membership is offered by invitation only.

For more information, please contact Audrey Rosenblith at 212-396-5076 or audrey.rosenblith@metmuseum.org.

Highlights of Past Firebirds Events

Barre and Bagels with Silas Farley

Firebirds beat the winter blues with a glorious morning of basic ballet barre moves and simple stretching led by charismatic New York City Ballet dancer and choreographer Silas Farley in the Charles Engelhard Court in The American Wing.

Sting: Atlantic Crossing and Private Reception

Firebirds enjoyed a rare acoustic performance by Sting inspired by The American Wing's exhibition of works by Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School. A private viewing of Thomas Cole's Journey: Atlantic Crossings preceded the performance and a reception with the acclaimed musician followed in The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing.

Private Viewing of Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer and In-Gallery Performance

Firebirds experienced the enormously popular exhibition in rare style: with a private performance in the galleries, under a digitally reproduced Sistine Chapel ceiling. Jolle Greenleaf of the renowned early music group TENET performed Italian frottole from the court of Isabella D'Este—one of the leading women of the Italian Renaissance and a patron of Michelangelo. A reception with the artists followed in the Carroll and Milton Petrie European Sculpture Court.

Private Roof Garden Party

On The Met's spectacular rooftop, Firebirds viewed the new Roof Garden commission in the company of artists from current, past, and upcoming seasons of MetLiveArts.

Gallim: Stone Skipping Performance and Reception

Firebirds enjoyed a performance by Gallim of Stone Skipping, a new work created specifically for The Temple of Dendur in The Sackler Wing by 2017–18 Artist in Residence Andrea Miller and named Best Choreography of 2017 by Dance Magazine. Cocktails with the artists followed the performance.

Private Exhibition Viewing of Jerusalem 1000–1400: Every People Under Heaven

Following a tour of The Met exhibition by curators Melanie Holcomb and Barbara Drake Boehm, Firebirds explored the rich history and influences that formed Jerusalem's culinary traditions with authors Laila El-Haddad and Maggie Schmitt (The Gaza Kitchen) during a reception featuring recipes by the authors and renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi created especially for the exhibition.

Private Exhibition Viewing of Age of Empires and Dinner with Tan Dun

Two nights before the world premiere of Tan Dun's work, Symphony of Colors: Terracotta, commissioned by the Museum, Firebirds enjoyed a private tour of the hugely popular exhibition led by curator Jason Sun. Dinner and conversation with the composer and curator followed in a private home.

Studio Visit with Reid Farrington

Prior to the unveiling of The Return, Reid Farrington’s revolutionary digital and live interactive installation commissioned by The Met in conjunction with the exhibition, Tullio Lombardo's Adam: A Masterpiece Restored, Firebirds traveled to Brooklyn for lunch with the artist and a studio visit for a sneak peek of the work.

Private Concert with Pekka Kuusisto

Celebrated violinist Pekka Kuusisto performed a special program of Bach masterworks, along with improvised traditional dance tunes. Firebirds enjoyed a buffet dinner in a private home following the concert at The Met. 

Above: The Museum Workout. Photo by Paula Lobo