The Circle, a philanthropic group of women who support the Vero Beach Museum of Art Community Engagement Programs, began the start of its ninth year with another lovely afternoon tea last Monday at the Marsh Island Clubhouse.

“Last year we closed the year with 133 members and I’m sure that we’re going to surpass that number this year, given all the new faces that I see here today,” said Nancy Edmiston, steering committee chair.

Members contribute $250 or more annually and vote in the spring to decide which of the museum’s outreach programs to fund that year. Edmiston shared that, to date, the Circle has granted more than $234,000 to the museum.

The Art for Health’s Sake program began three years ago thanks to Circle funding, and program manager Dawn Miller said last year’s grant has enabled it to expand.

Miller spoke about changes and additions to Art for Health’s Sake such as the Intergenerational Program, which is now partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of IRC, and a new A-Plus Art program, focusing on young adults and teens on the autism spectrum. Afternoon at the Museum and Movement at the Museum, have been modified to become Artful Engagement and Movement in the Moment, both now taking place at the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of Indian River County’s Memory and Motion facility rather than at the museum.

New members are welcome. For more information, call Robyn Orzel at 231-0707 x 106.