THE NATIONAL COMEDY CENTER IS MORE RELIANT THAN EVER ON YOUR TAX-DEDUCTIBLE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS, WHICH DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC COMEDY ARCHIVES, THE DEVELOPMENT OF CUTTING-EDGE EXHIBITS, AND THE PRODUCTION OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND K-12 STUDENT OUTREACH ACTIVITIES. THE WORK OF PRESERVING OUR NATION’S GREAT COMEDIC HERITAGE HAPPENS ONLY WITH YOUR SUPPORT.
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As 2021 ends, can we count on you?
2021 has been a year of endurance and hard-won growth for the National Comedy Center. When we opened our doors in the summer of 2018, we knew that we had built an experience that was worthy of the remarkable artists and bodies of work that make up our comedic heritage. As the first national-scale cultural institution dedicated to honoring and preserving the story of comedy, we made incredible early strides as one of the most technologically-advanced, innovative, and pace-setting museums in the world.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors—from schoolchildren to ardent comedy fans—experienced the history of comedy come alive in Jamestown, N.Y. On the cusp of our second full year of operations, the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary shutdown and a shift in strategy to realize our mission.
The National Comedy Center team—and its local, regional, and industry stakeholders—has worked tirelessly to navigate these difficult times: Thousands of guests have visited us this year and our award-winning “LaughSafe” plan kept them safe and healthy; Our original virtual programming has reached thousands of new audience members across the world; Our pivot to outdoor, socially distanced programming fostered community and offered free comedy entertainment during a time when laughter was more important than ever.
While our annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival was postponed in 2021 due to safety concerns, we are optimistically building a full schedule for 2022. This year we also celebrated the milestone 70th anniversary of I Love Lucy and the 25th anniversary of the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, which the National Comedy Center operates to honor Lucille Ball’s remarkable legacy in her own hometown.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION:
Make a gift to the National Comedy Center. No gift is too small-and ALL gifts are appreciated. Use this online donation form to make your contribution today!
SUPPORT OUR MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM:
Become a Member, Renew Early, or Give the Gift of Membership this holiday. Members enjoy a “season pass” of free unlimited admission – both on-site in Jamestown and to our new online platform of content! Click here for more information on membership.
Your support is an investment in the National Comedy Center and is an acknowledgement that you share a belief in our core values: that comedy has a cultural, political, and artistic history worth studying and sharing widely; that understanding comedy history is relevant and empowering for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities; and that the comedic arts deserve to be elevated as a vital part of our cultural heritage and preserved for generations to come.
With your help, we look forward to bringing you exciting new exhibits, programs, archival collections, and educational opportunities in 2022. The National Comedy Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit cultural institution, which means that every dollar of your gift goes directly to funding public-facing educational and preservation initiatives we hope you’ll enjoy.
Will you join us in protecting, honoring, and celebrating the vital story of comedy by making a year-end gift?