ROM Celebrates Opening of Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India with Charity Gala

Philanthropic community raises over $500,000 net in support of the Museum

TORONTO, March 7, 2019 — On March 6, 2019, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) welcomed more than 500 special guests at the ROM Ball, Ontario’s preeminent cultural charity gala in support of the Museum.

“We are immensely grateful to the many volunteers, donors and partners who helped make our signature fundraising event a terrific success for the ROM,” said Susan Horvath, President & CEO of the ROM Governors. “It was a wonderful night celebrating one of the largest and most important exhibitions of South Asian art and culture ever presented at the Museum.”

An unforgettable evening of culture and glamour made possible with generous support from Presenting Sponsor CIBC, the spectacular biennial fundraising affair, co-chaired by Deepak and Neera Chopra & Victor and Maureen Dodig, featured a stunning cocktail reception followed by dinner in the majestic Samuel Hall ♚ Currelly Gallery, special live performances, and an exclusive preview of Treasures of a Desert Kingdom: The Royal Arts of Jodhpur, India, with Lead Exhibition Patron Dan Mishra. This exhibition opens to the public on March 9, 2019 in the ROM’s Garfield Weston Exhibition Hall. Treasures of a Desert Kingdom is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with the collaboration of the Mehrangarh Museum Trust, Jodhpur, India.

“CIBC is proud of its century-long history with the ROM as both a client and community partner,” said Victor Dodig, President & CEO of CIBC and ROM Governor. “We are very pleased to support the ROM corporately through a variety of programs and special events like the ROM Ball, as well as through the volunteerism of our passionate and committed employees.”

The ROM was honoured to welcome His Highness Maharaja GajSingh II of Marwar-Jodhpur and his daughter, Baijilal Shivranjani Rajye, at the highly-anticipated event among several notable philanthropists, iconic Canadians and dignitaries in attendance.

The ROM Ball raised more than $500,000 net in table sales and sponsorships. All proceeds from the ROM Ball will support the Museum’s highest priorities, which help build and share global collections, create knowledge, inspire learning, encourage gathering and spark exchange within the intersecting worlds of art, culture and nature.

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Media Contact
Anne Vranic, Senior Publicist
416.586.5514
avranic@rom.on.ca

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About the ROM
Founded in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America, Canada's largest and most comprehensive museum is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. As the country's preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new discoveries, the ROM plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the artistic, cultural and natural world. Combining its original heritage architecture with the contemporary Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the ROM serves as a national landmark, and a dynamic cultural destination in the heart of Toronto for all to enjoy.

About the ROM Governors
Established in 1992 as the ROM Foundation, the office of the ROM Governors is responsible for all philanthropic activities in support of the Museum’s highest priorities. Its work enables the ROM to better serve its diverse and ever-changing community, by fostering long-term sustainable relationships of exceptional value both to the institution and its donors. The office of the ROM Governors is supported by an independent Board which provides leadership in a wide range of philanthropic activities supporting ROM programs, research, collections, galleries, exhibitions and outreach programs. For more information, visit rom.on.ca/support.

ROM Ball 2019 Committee: Deepak and Neera Chopra & Victor and Maureen Dodig (Co-Chairs), Isabel Alves-Vettoretto, Jennifer Ivey Bannock, Stephen Bowman, Mary Anne Bueschkens, Jayshree Khimasia, Vikram Khurana, Dan Mishra (Honorary Chair), Patricia Olasker, Anjli Patel, Jennifer Smuschkowitz, Robin Turack, Monica Virmani

Visionary Table Sponsors: Anonymous, Vettoretto Family

Luminary Table Sponsors: Adgar Investments and Development Inc., Bennett Jones LLP, Cargojet, Conundrum Capital Corporation, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP, Dominion Bond Rating Service, The Effort Trust Company, Linamar Corporation, Stonegate Private Counsel

The ROM extends its deepest gratitude and appreciation to our ROM Ball sponsors, partners, table buyers and volunteers for generously supporting the Museum.