New York's Young Patron Societies Not So Young After All...

Oct 21, 2010 1:56 PM

MoMA Fall 2010 Opening Night ReceptionWith the benefit season upon us, junior committees (great relationship lubricators) at museums are getting mighty feisty! See how some members "stay" so young, and why that's irking others:

As The Wall Street Journal reported, older-than-normal junior associates at MoMA are running rampant in this sort of organization usually stipulated for members who are either under 30 or under 40. These so-called Peter Pans--ever-young members--who are prevalent at the Met have been the source of some consternation within the Apollo Circle, where a tipster "can't help but notice how more than a few members have magically remained 39 years old for the past 10 to 20 years."

The age gap, according to the tipster, invites discomfort when young women, hoping to meet people their own age interested in the arts, are approached by middle-aged men.Female committee members who are ever-green members fall into two categories:over-the-hill social climbers or husband hunters.

Another interesting note: membership dues are less for the 21-39 age gap, so it could be that these Peter Pans are simply pinching pennies, not robbing the cradle. Apparently most of these men are unmarried, perhaps divorced, and in their 40s, 50s, and some even (gasp!) in their 60s. They tend to attend stag and try to pick up the helpless 20-year-olds--"looking more like her father than a potential suitor (bald head and all) and freely handing out business/calling cards."

MoMA has taken action against this trend, and it remains to be seen whether the festering ire will net changes in other museums.

Apollo Circle Benefit Dance

To contact the author of this post, email ross.kenneth.urken@guestofaguest.com

igotbignuts

October 21, 2010

7:55pm

Amusing story! Let's face it, guys in their 40s like dating women in their upper 20s to low 30s and they don't like meeting them in bars and clubs. Why not let them into the Junior events but just charge them more. After all, if not for these dudes hitting on the ladies, the only men at these events would be the homosexuals who escort in the trophy wives whose husbands would rather just send a check.  

ninacatherine

October 21, 2010

9:58pm

fantastic -- same situation here in Washington, DC :)  

Superman

October 21, 2010

10:48pm

Just call it what it is, New York Single Patron Societies and be happy!  

tribecavery

October 22, 2010

4:41am

Daniel Craig Hugh Jackman Matt Damon Guy Pearce Will Smith Simon Baker Ewen Mcgregor (?) Ben Kingsley  

tribecavery

October 22, 2010

4:46am

and *gasp*...Jon Hamm (almost)  

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