PROM: CIRCUS Breaks Record under the Big Top

Over 900 Young Philanthropists attend Seventh Annual Fundraising Bash of the Young Patrons’ Circle (YPC) at the ROM

The Young Patrons’ Circle (YPC) at the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) hosted the 7th annual PROM at the ROM fundraising bash this year to record-breaking success. Over 900 guests attended PROM: CIRCUS on March 31, 2012, raising approximately $50,000 in support of ROM priorities, including cutting-edge curatorial research through the YPC Research Fund.

Currently, the YPC Research Fund supports a fascinating project called The Muscat cloth of Oman —Arabian silks for the East African market, conducted by Dr. Sarah Fee, Associate Curator in the Eastern Hemisphere Textiles and Costume Department of World Cultures at the ROM. In the southern Arabian nation of Oman about the little known historic trade of Muscat cloth, the silk turbans and wrappers that Omani pit-loom weavers exported in staggering numbers to the Swahili world from 1750 to 1970.

"The tremendous success of this year’s PROM would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors and partners, and the volunteer leadership of the YPC Cabinet and the PROM planning committee,” says Dianne Lister, President & Executive Director of the ROM Governors. “PROM is a fantastic way to engage younger people in the community interested in becoming more deeply involved with the ROM through YPC.”

PROM: Circus was hosted by MTV Canada’s Sharlene Chiu and Johnny Hockin, and co-chaired by YPC Cabinet members Andrea Anders and Nicole Tuschak, along with an event committee of Toronto’s top young arts and business leaders. Guests enjoyed live entertainment by aerial performers A2D2, music by DJ Rory Them Finest, dancing, fun-fair activities and carnival treats.

About the Young Patrons’ Circle

Since the Young Patrons’ Circle burst onto Toronto’s cultural scene in 2005, it has attracted a dynamic group of visionary young philanthropists to the ROM. Through unique social, educational, cultural and networking opportunities for individuals aged 19 to 45, YPC provides exclusive access to ROM exhibitions, galleries, curators and behind-the-scenes tours of the Museum’s collections areas. The YPC program appeals to the museum enthusiast who is passionate about discovering natural history, science and world cultures and interested in supporting the preservation of the Museum. A portion of every YPC gift also supports a peer-reviewed ROM curatorial project each year through the YPC Research Fund.

YPC membership offers a host of privileges, including free access to all YPC events, free admission to the Museum throughout the year and special advance access to exhibitions. For more information about the ROM’s Young Patrons’ Circle visit www.rom.on.ca/ypc or call 416.586.8003.

Comprised of young leaders from Toronto’s arts and business circles, the YPC Cabinet includes:
Anna-Maria Kaneff (co-chair), Mike Mallinos (co-chair), Andrea Anders, Casey Antolak, Brian Astl, Diana Arajs, Lauren Baca, Nancy Bertrand, Allison Brough, Rosario Cartagena, Francisco de la Barrera, Cléophée Eaton, Nazmin Gupta, Matthew Lekushoff, Koel Loyer, Lindsay Maskell, Niccola Milnes, Elisabeth Patrick, Nicole Tuschak

This year’s PROM Committee included: Andrea Anders (co-chair), Nicole Tuschak (co-chair), Brian Astl, Lauren Baca, Allison Brough, Rosario Cartagena, Emily Hanft, Sarbjit Kaur, Rebecca Levy, Lindsay Maskell, and Elisa Salvatore.