South Bend Museum of Art 75th Anniversary Gala
Event Branding & Campaign Design
The 75th Anniversary Gala for the South Bend Museum of Art marked a major milestone for one of the region’s leading cultural institutions.
During a period of renewed momentum for the museum, Rutendo Jairosi of Jairosi Graphic Design led the development of a cohesive visual identity and campaign for the gala while working as part of SBMA’s team — shaping how the event was experienced from initial outreach through the evening itself.
The Challenge
The goal was to elevate the museum’s annual gala into a flagship fundraising event that:
Celebrated 75 years of artistic legacy
Reflected the museum’s identity and permanent collection
Attracted higher levels of donor engagement
Created a cohesive and polished experience across all touchpoints
The campaign needed to feel both celebratory and sophisticated, while strengthening the museum’s connection to its audience.
The Approach
The design direction centered on amplifying the museum’s existing identity.
The organization’s signature green color palette was used as a unifying visual thread, paired with artwork from the museum’s permanent collection to create a rich and authentic design language.
A custom 75th anniversary mark was developed to anchor the campaign, appearing consistently across all materials and reinforcing the significance of the milestone.
The result was a visual system that felt rooted in the institution while refreshed for a new era.
Brand & Campaign Design
Sponsorship Packet
Invitation
Entire Gala Packet
A full suite of campaign and event materials was developed, including:
75th anniversary logo and visual identity
Sponsorship packet for fundraising outreach
Gala save-the-date and invitation suite
Gala landing page and digital assets
Email campaign design and execution
Printed gala program
In addition to design, the work extended into campaign strategy and experience, including contributing to the visual direction of the event décor to ensure alignment between print, digital, and physical space.
Campaign Execution
The campaign was designed to build momentum leading up to the event.
A coordinated email strategy and visual rollout ensured consistent communication with donors and attendees, reinforcing the gala’s significance and encouraging engagement at every stage.
Outcome
The 75th Anniversary Gala marked a significant turning point for the museum’s fundraising efforts.
The campaign contributed to:
A highly cohesive and elevated event experience
Increased donor engagement and participation
Stronger alignment between the museum’s identity and its public-facing materials
The event raised over $200,000, a substantial increase from approximately $40,000 the previous year.