Natasha O’Farrell holds an important position at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, where her work bridges the museum’s passionate supporter networks and its longterm institutional goals. As Patrons Manager and one of the key paid staff overseeing the Friends and Patrons schemes, she plays a significant role in building engagement, raising funds, and deepening relationships between the museum and its dedicated community of supporters. Her contributions help ensure the Ashmolean remains a vibrant cultural landmark with a loyal and active circle of ambassadors around the world.
Role and Responsibilities at the Ashmolean
In her position as Patrons Manager, Natasha O’Farrell is responsible for the administration, coordination, and strategic development of both the Friends of the Ashmolean and the Patrons programmes. These are two distinct trustbased membership schemes that rely largely on volunteer leadership but are supported daytoday by key staff including Natasha. Together, they manage membership growth, organize exclusive events, and allocate grants that help fund exhibitions, education, and acquisitions at the museum
Managing Membership Communities
The Friends scheme offers individual memberships starting around £38-£40 per year, with benefits such as free entry to exhibitions, discounts in the café and shop, magazines, and invitations to exclusive lectures and tours. The Patrons groups, including the Elias Ashmole Patrons and Ashmolean Collective, involve higher levels of support and additional perks such as private views, directorled spring trips to European cities, and behindthescenes experiences
Natasha works closely with volunteers who run these trust structures, dedicating her time to membership recruitment, retention, and communications with thousands of supporters. This includes personal outreach, crafting messages, planning events, and ensuring member experiences reflect the prestige and welcoming community of the museum
Fundraising and Donor Engagement
Beyond membership logistics, Natasha plays a strategic role in fundraising and individual giving initiatives. Alongside colleagues like Polly Nuttgens and Emily Magnuson, she helps develop major donor relationships, coordinate appeals, and cultivate meaningful ongoing support from diverse donor segments
Her efforts were instrumental in initiatives such as rapid fundraising to acquire major works like Manet’s portrait of Mademoiselle Claus, where Friends contributed over £50,000 to support the acquisition. Her involvement underscores how membership schemes intersect with broader institutional goals and resource development
The Value of Her Work
Natasha’s role is more than administrative. She represents the human connection between the Ashmolean and its supporters. Through wellcurated events, transparent communication, and responsive engagement, she fosters a sense of belonging that extends beyond passive support. Patrons and Friends become advocates, ambassadors, and vital partners in sustaining the museum’s legacy
Her work also supports the museum’s longterm vision by promoting philanthropic contributions, nurturing volunteer leadership, and helping to integrate supporters into meaningful museum initiatives that align with educational outreach, curation, and community engagement.
Working Context and Collaboration
Natasha collaborates routinely with both the volunteer leadership of the trust networks and the Ashmolean’s Development and Communications teams. She works in tandem with professional staff like Catherine House, the Membership Manager, and other roles within Development and Communications. Together they help drive strategy across membership growth, donor stewardship, and communications campaigns
This collaborative environment allows Natasha and her colleagues to manage expanding membership, streamline joining processes, and improve user experience. In one case, the Friends membership grew from about 3,000 to over 5,000 members in just a year following process improvements and better on-site promotion
Events, Experiences, and Member Benefits
Natasha helps oversee the programming of events and experiences offered to Friends and Patrons. These range from curatorled tours and lectures to exclusive visits at the museum and partner institutions, plus social outings and annual trips with the Director. Such experiences help sustain long-term engagement and provide value beyond the standard benefits package
- Private views of new exhibitions and after-hours access
- Special travel opportunities connected to curatorial expertise
- Behindthescenes access to collections and study areas
- Opportunities to attend shaping meetings and engage with curators directly
Strategic Impact and Influence
The impact of Natasha’s role extends beyond membership metrics. By building personal connections and empowering volunteers, she helps create a sustainable base of support that fuels exhibitions, research, and acquisitions. Her influence contributes to the museum’s identity as an institution supported by an informed and active community.
Her efforts also align with the museum’s goal of securing unrestricted and endowment-type funds while honoring the vision of Elias Ashmole, whose founding gift established the world’s first public museum in 1683
Future Directions and Opportunities
Looking ahead, Natasha’s work will likely evolve with shifts in donor expectations, digital engagement trends, and changing patterns of museum visitation. As the Ashmolean expands its global reach, membership platforms may incorporate new content, remote programming, and targeted campaigns for international supporters.
The continued development of bespoke experiences, improved digital communication, and enhanced stewardship tools will be important in retaining and growing membership. Natasha’s leadership in these areas will remain central to the health of the Friends and Patrons communities.
Natasha O’Farrell’s role at the Ashmolean Museum reflects a balance between operational efficiency and relational depth. As Patrons Manager, she uplifts the museum’s membership initiatives, fundraising efforts, and supporter engagement strategy, all while working with both volunteers and professional staff. Her contributions help maintain the Ashmolean’s position as a world-class institution with a vibrant community of supporters. Through her stewardship, the museum gains not only financial support but also highly engaged ambassadors who participate in its ongoing story and mission.
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