The Kroger Corp. was awarded the first Excellence in Corporate Partnership Award from the Taubman Museum of Art. The award recognized Kroger for their contributions to the museum. Kroger sponsors Art Venture, two free Spectacular Saturdays at the museum, co-sponsors The Art of Golf fundraiser and donates products for events.

Here is the press release from The Taubman Museum of Art.

Roanoke, Va. (July 12, 2012) – The Taubman Museum of Art has awarded its inaugural Excellence in Corporate Partnership Award to Kroger Corp. The award was presented at a business community appreciation event held at the museum on June 21.

Kroger Mid-Atlantic Division President Jay Cummins accepted the award, and spoke about the importance of partnering with local cultural organizations. “It’s a true honor to be recognized with the Taubman Museum’s first annual Excellence in Corporate Partnership Award,” said Cummins, who also serves on the museum’s Board of Trustees. “We believe in giving back to the communities where we operate in a number of ways, and the Taubman Museum certainly fits in with our desire to support families and the arts.”

Kroger has several multi-year agreements with the Taubman, including sponsorship of Art Venture, the annual Women’s Luncheon, and two free Spectacular Saturdays each year, as well as being one of the sponsors of this year’s The Art of Golf fundraiser in June. In addition, Kroger employees  volunteered their time at the March 31 grand opening of the remodeled Art Venture space, and the company has donated products for a variety of museum events.

The Taubman Museum of Art has 75 corporate partners that contributed a total of $400,000 in cash and budget-relieving in-kind goods and services during the past year.  Support from area corporations will continue to be crucial to the museum in advancing its mission and achieving sustainability.

“Our exhibitions, community programs and events would not be possible without the tremendous support of the area business community,” said Taubman Museum President and CEO David Mickenberg. “Kroger is a truly outstanding partner to the museum, and we are pleased to honor them with our first annual Excellence in Corporate Partnership Award.”

For more information about the Taubman Museum of Art, visit www.taubmanmuseum.org.