August is Member Appreciation Month—and we’re celebrating you and your contributions all month long! You make exceptional experiences with art and nature possible at Newfields every day. Our 22,000 Member households are the heart of the institution. Membership dues help support Newfields’ day-to-day operating expenses, such as the landscaping and maintenance needed to keep The Garden beautiful as well as the careful conservation of the IMA’s collection.

We love our Members! Read on to learn why Members love Newfields too.

When Ingrid Ozols-Perdue and Rob Perdue first became Newfields Members in the summer of 1995, their goal was simple: support a cultural arts institution that benefits the city of Indianapolis and its communities. "We joined Newfields to support Indianapolis," Ingrid said. "However, it became so much more than a membership.”

Over the years, the couple has become deeply connected to Newfields and its community. “We have fun at all the member events and really feel part of the Newfields family." Some of the couple's favorite memories are tied to Newfields' annual festivals, like bringing their dog, Brewster, to the final evening of Winterlights and celebrating New Year's Eve here too.

At Newfields, they have found respite and relaxation from their busy lives. Whether they're strolling through the IMA Galleries or wandering The Garden, they say art offers the rare chance to slow down.

"We have discovered that looking at art—both inside the Museum and outside in the gardens—allows an escape from the stress of work and our everyday jobs," Ingrid said. "When looking at various forms of art, I sometimes contemplate deeper meanings to aspects of life. It shows us the beauty of life that is all around us."

Asked where they gravitate during a visit, they don't name a climate-controlled gallery. Instead, they point to a quiet spot outdoors.

"Our favorite places are enjoying the view of the pollinator meadow and the lake from the lawn behind Lilly House," Ingrid said. "Then we relax at The Beer Garden after walking the grounds."

Rob now volunteers on campus—an experience that has given both Ingrid and him an even greater appreciation for the people behind the institution. "Rob has been very impressed with the dedication of the staff and volunteers that make Newfields the special place that it is," said Ingrid.

What began as a way to support the arts has become a routine that keeps drawing them back—not just for exhibitions or events, but for moments of reflection, community, and a place they now consider an integral part of their lives.

Interested in learning more about all that Newfields Membership has to offer? See our Membership Benefits guide.