The Need – Marin Art and Garden Center

Sowing the Seeds:

Investing in the Future of Marin Art and Garden Center

The Need

Celebrating 80 Years – Ensuring the Next 80 Years

For 80 years, Marin Art and Garden Center has given generations of families a place to play, learn, experience the outdoors, appreciate cultivated and natural landscapes, enjoy performances, create and enjoy art—all while coming together as a community.

This community cultural center is a living tribute to the resilience of a few dedicated, visionary women of Marin, who in 1945 were instrumental in helping start the conservation movement in this county. In recognition, Marin Art and Garden Center was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2022.

Sustaining Marin Art and Garden Center’s historic structures and gardens for future generations requires the investment of millions of dollars into critical capital improvements. The Center is embarking on a capital fundraising process, the first phase of which is called “Sowing the Seeds,” which initially addresses long overdue structural renovations, aesthetic upgrades and critical infrastructure improvements for enhancing the experience, safety and access of the Center’s visitors.

For nearly 10 years the Center has engaged in a comprehensive master planning process. This began with an assessment of the current state of the grounds, its many historical and horticultural assets, and the community’s use of the site’s many features.

Construction of Evers Pavilion (Pixie Park), ca. 1955

With historical reverence, future use, a changing climate, accessibility, safety, and aesthetics in mind, a long-term roadmap was developed to include improvements, renovations and additions to the gardens, structures and visitor amenities. The resulting Master Plan outlines a blueprint that will require many years and significant funding to complete.

The following considerations were prioritized in the Center’s Master Plan:

Historic Preservation – With structures and landscapes dating from the 19^th century estate period through mid-century modern, we must respect historic designs and adhere to National Register guidelines.

Enhanced Visitor Experience – Whether it is participating in an educational program, enjoying a concert or art show or taking a contemplative walk through the garden, the Master Plan prioritizes visitor enjoyment.

Visitor Access and Safety – Making the site accessible to all visitors is a complicated challenge, not the least of which is due to the 11-acre property’s slope. Visitor access and adherence to modern fire and safety codes will be addressed throughout Master Plan implementation.

Circulation and Interpretation – Moving visitors easily and safely though the Center, and doing so with restrained wayfinding and interpretive signage, is a key objective of the Master Plan.

Environmental Factors – Marin Art and Garden Center must contend with a warming climate. Major elements of the Master Planning process include augmenting the Center’s tree canopy with species able to thrive in warmer temperatures, planting in a water-wise manner and using efficient irrigation systems.

To learn more about the Sowing the Seeds Capital Campaign, to arrange a site tour of the project or to consider sponsorship opportunities, please contact: