Press release submitted by Rollstone Bank & Trust
Rollstone Bank & Trust is proud to announce a $100,000 sponsorship of the Fitchburg Art Museum. The gift will ensure that every visitor to FAM can experience the Museum free of charge through 2029, the final year of FAM's Centennial celebration.
"Rollstone Bank has been part of this community for 180 years, and supporting the Fitchburg Art Museum's mission to make art accessible to everyone is exactly the kind of investment we believe in,” said Rollstone President and COO Mary Beth Jokela. “As both FAM and Rollstone mark milestone anniversaries, we are proud to help open the Museum's doors, free of charge, to every family, student, and neighbor in our region. Art and culture are at the heart of a thriving community, and we are honored to play a role in FAM's next century."
FAM Director Nick Capasso expressed deep gratitude for the partnership. The Museum, founded in 1925 and the only art museum in North Central Massachusetts, currently serves approximately 14,000 visitors annually. With free admission now in place, FAM expects that number to grow significantly during the Centennial period, running from 2026 through 2029, as all financial barriers to attendance are removed.
"The Fitchburg Art Museum's new free admission policy is based on the strongly held belief that a community-oriented art museum should work to make our mission and programs as accessible as possible to everyone, just like public libraries," said Capasso. "Rollstone Bank has been a longtime corporate member and community partner. Together, we are thrilled to offer this special gift to our community to celebrate our institutional anniversaries.”
Prior to the launch of the free admission program, roughly 45% of visitors were already admitted free through various categorical programs. Rollstone's sponsorship replaces that complexity with a single, unambiguous commitment to universal access: one consistent with both institutions' deep roots in Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts.
As the exclusive sponsor of the Free Admission for All program, Rollstone Bank & Trust will be recognized across FAM's website, print materials, social media, lobby signage, and at public events through 2029, and will receive Corporate Membership benefits at the Patron level for the duration of the sponsorship.
The Fitchburg Art Museum's Centennial celebration will feature major exhibitions, special programming, and community events including the current "FESTIVAL: A Celebration of African Art" and "Kaleidoscope: 100 Years of Collecting for Our Community."
About Rollstone Bank & Trust
Founded in 1846, Rollstone Bank & Trust is a trusted community banking partner committed to strengthening the financial well-being of individuals, families, and businesses throughout North Central Massachusetts. Headquartered in Fitchburg, MA, the Bank provides a full range of personal and business banking services through multiple community banking locations. Guided by a long-standing tradition of service, relationships, and local investment, Rollstone Bank & Trust is dedicated to helping communities thrive. Alongside Newburyport Bank and Pentucket Bank, Rollstone Bank & Trust is supported by River Run Bancorp, MHC. With collective assets of $3.6 billion, River Run ensures shared strength and resources in support of our banks and the communities they serve.
About the Fitchburg Art Museum
The Fitchburg Art Museum is the leading cultural institution in North Central Massachusetts. Founded in 1925, FAM plays a vital role in the cultural life of the region and is committed to community access and service. FAM uses its artistic and educational resources to aid in the economic revitalization of Fitchburg, and the Museum maintains active educational partnerships with the local school systems, as well as Fitchburg State University. FAM is located at 185 Elm Street, Fitchburg, MA. For more information, visit fitchburgartmuseum.org or call 978.345.4207.
(Courtesy photo)