Message from the Chair
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s we continue to experience the ongoing devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is heartening to witness how our community has remained unified over the past year. Faculty, students, trustees, alumni, staff, and close friends of the Institute have all contributed to the vitality of our programs and the training of our bright, talented, and resourceful students. As Chair of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, I would like to thank each of you for the role you play in our ability to uphold a tradition of excellence even during the most challenging of times.
4 The Institute of Fine Arts Annual 2020 - 2021
In a year of great sorrow, we also experienced the significant loss to the Institute community with the passing of Sheldon Solow. Sheldon joined the IFA board in 1985 and held the position of Chair for nine years from 1992-2003. During Sheldon’s 36-year tenure on the board, he was instrumental in several initiatives at the Institute including the establishment of two faculty positions, numerous fellowships, the refurbishment of the Institute’s façade, and the highly anticipated Sheldon H. Solow Library and Study Center at #3 next door. We know he will be with us in spirit when we finally open the doors of this new space. Sheldon was a visionary benefactor and a very special person, who will be profoundly missed. Our deepest sympathies are with Mia Fonssagrives Solow, and Sheldon’s sons, Stefan and Nikolai, and each of his grandchildren. The Institute remains actively engaged in the process of addressing inequities in the field of art history and in our community. We have begun to turn an internal lens on our approach to teaching, on the necessity to attract a more inclusive student body and faculty, and on the organization of public programs that address global interests. It is this opportunity for growth and learning from one another that ensures a bright future for the Institute. We are profoundly grateful for the thoughtful gifts made in support of Institute students and programs this year. The unwavering commitment of trustees, alumni, friends, and staff has been instrumental in keeping everything running apace. Of particular note is the generous funding provided by Shelby White and the Leon Levy Foundation that made it possible for two cohorts of MAstudents to travel this past summer. With the easing of travel
restrictions, the White/Levy gift allowed us to offer grants to students so that they could visit works of art in situ. In addition, this year two dedicated alumni established legacy gifts for future Institute students. The first is an endowed fellowship in honor Bernard V. Bothmer and the second is an endowed student travel fund. We are grateful for these gifts that reflect the importance that the Institute’s teaching and mentoring had on these alumni and their desire to give back through their estate planning. With the support of our donors, we were once again able to distribute emergency funding this summer via the Director’s Discretionary Fund. We received an outpouring of gratitude from the students, many of whom continue to face challenges in the current environment. The Institute is grateful to all those who participated in our thought-provoking public programs over the past year. Having the ability to reach a global audience through our online platform filled the academic year with vibrant discussions between scholars, curators, artists, conservators, archaeologists, museum leaders, faculty, and students. Over 60 online programs allowed us to connect with nearly 13,000 participants demonstrating the astounding reach of virtual platforms. In the spring, the Alumni Association held its first online reunion with breakout rooms organized by graduation years. There was a flurry of enthusiasm as friends reconnected with each other for the first time in many years. As we all know, it is not always possible to attend events in person and this online evening affirmed the power of technology to bring us together. Also, throughout the year, alumni served as mentors for current Institute students. A heartfelt thank you to each of you who took the time to speak with a student. Institute students greatly value these opportunities to meet with alumni as they pursue their professional goals. This past year we also saw notable changes at the Conservation Center with the retirement of our distinguished colleague, Margaret Holben Ellis. Her dedication to teaching and influential scholarship has left an indelible mark on those students and colleagues who worked with her. Hannelore Roemich did an outstanding job as Chair of the Conservation Center this past spring, and will pass
