Detail of an Islamic Book of Brayers with gold illustrations of flowers surrounding a crimson design containing Arabic text

Friends of Islamic Art

The Friends of Islamic Art brings together an international group of people who share a keen interest in the art and culture of the Islamic world, providing Friends with opportunities to participate in a variety of exciting and exclusive programs. Friends dues are essential to the ongoing success of the Department of Islamic Art, with funds supporting the Museum and the Department, including the acquisition of art and other important scholarly pursuits.

Annual Dues

Ibn Battuta Fellows* Annual Dues: $10,000 (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Annual Dues: $5,000 (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Under-Forty Annual Dues: $3,500 (a portion of dues is tax-deductible)

Benefits

The Friends of Islamic Art and the Ibn Battuta Fellows also receive the benefits of a Patron Membership at The Met, including:

  • free, express admission to all of The Met's locations with up to four accompanied guests;
  • special access to the collection and new exhibitions during Morning Hours, Preview Days, Evening Receptions, and The Met After Hours;
  • invitations to Members-only events, concerts, and curator talks;
  • access to the Members-only spaces in the Museum;
  • 10% discount on all public restaurants and venues at The Met, The Met Cloisters, and The Met Store;
  • subscriptions to the What's On calendar and The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin; and
  • reciprocal benefits at sixteen museums nationwide.

Membership is offered by invitation only.

Highlights of Past Events

  • Invitations to behind-the-scenes presentations by the Department's curators, conservators, and visiting scholars on topics related to the collection and exhibitions
  • Annual dinner
  • Highly focused short trips and programs both in the United States and abroad, highlighting the greatest monuments of Islamic architecture and viewing public and private collections. Trips include visits to Fez, Marrakesh, Palermo, Istanbul, Granada, and many other great centers of Islamic art.

*Ibn Battuta Fellows and their guests will enjoy the unique opportunity to schedule a private curator-led tour of the galleries for the Art of the Arab Lands, Turkey, Iran, Central Asia, and Later South Asia and exclusive, focused behind-the-scenes visits to public and private collections in the United States and abroad.

Above: Calligrapher Ahmad Nairizi (active 1682–1739), Illuminator (attributed to) Muhammad Hadi (d. ca. 1771). Non-illustrated manuscript Book of Prayers, Surat al-Yasin and Surat al-Fath (detail), dated A.H. 1132/ A.D. 1719–20. Iran, probably Isfahan. Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper; lacquer binding; 9 3/4 x 6 1/8 in. (24.7 x 15.6 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2003 (2003.239)