09 annual report
“At a time when cultural organizations struggle to hold onto their audiences, the ICA is Boston’s greatest success story.” — Boston Globe, July 19, 2009
An extraordinary year by any measure, 2008-2009 saw recordsetting attendance, continued support from an unwavering corps of champions, and internationally acclaimed exhibitions and programming. We’ve hit our stride, artistically and civically, establishing ourselves as a prescient presenter of visual and performing arts, a leader in the field of teen arts education, and the cultural cornerstone of Boston’s waterfront. It was a year that lived up to the promise of an iconic building, a bold vision, and a commitment to creativity and innovation nearly 75 years in the making. 3
Left : Ranjani Shettar, Sun-sneezers blow light bubbles (detail), 2007-2008. Courtesy of the artist and Talwar Gallery, New York/New Delhi. Photo: John Kennard. Right : Play Date. Photo: Laura Anca Chichisan Pallone.
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Left : Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Another Evening: Serenade/The Proposition [title in itals]. Photo: Paul B. Goode. Right : Anish Kapoor, Inwendig Volle Figur, [title in itals] 2006. Courtesy of the artist and Lisson Gallery. Photo: John Kennard.
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From the Director I am thrilled to present the ICA’s first annual report—the first since we opened our doors in 1936. After opening on the waterfront in December 2006 to critical acclaim, the ICA hit its programmatic stride in the 2008-09 fiscal year with programs which lived up to the promise and platform of our beautiful new building. It is a joy to see our galleries, theater, education center and HarborWalk filled with energy and enthusiasm, and it confirms that the work of engaged artists invites us to see the world differently. In that lightening quick moment of insight, a work of art will ignite our imagination, teach us something new, and open up our minds. It is equally rewarding to watch people interact and encounter the art in the ICA and discover how great art can be powerful, beautiful, compelling, original, breathtaking and fun. From first impressions to close observation, the experience of contemporary art frames time and reveals the fault lines, hopes, and anxieties of individual artists and through them, of a culture in the midst of change. Our mission is to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process. Over the past year, we advanced this in several key ways: through our exhibitions of mid-career and up-and-coming artists; our productions and presentations of outstanding dance, theater, and music; and our investment in programs for teens and families. The work was local, national, and global and represented diverse nationalities, backgrounds, artistic approaches, and
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disciplines. We continue to balance our support for artistic exploration and risk with our commitment to visitors and new audiences and to use the resources of the ICA—art, artists, educators, facilities, and location—to address critical civic and social needs of our city and our society. Over the past year, the ICA has received international attention for our exhibitions and programs, including major exhibitions of the work of Anish Kapoor, Tara Donovan, and Shepard Fairey. The ICA’s exhibition of younger artists and new work in our Momentum series combines direct support for new works with opportunities for audiences to see a broad range of current artistic practice from young talent across the globe. Artists Gerard Byrne, Nicholas Hlobo, Eileen Quinlan and Ranjani Shettar each created brand new works of art for our Momentum gallery this past year. We introduced new work from Boston- based and international artists in Street Level, organized by Trevor Schoonmaker of the Nasher Museum at Duke University, the 2008 James and Audrey Foster Prize, and Acting Out: Social Experiments in Video, shows which featured Yael Bartana, Johanna Billing, Mark Bradford, Phil Collins, William Cordova, Catherine d’Ignazio, Rania Matar, Robin Rhode, Javier Téllez, Andrew Witkin, Joe Zane, and Artur Zmijewski. Audiences in the Barbara Lee Family Foundation Theater experienced equally powerful works of art, including a gorgeous and mesmerizing Boston premiere of Another Evening: Serenade/The Proposition by the Bill T, Jones/Arnie Zane Dance company; the Ditson Festival of Contemporary Music with
We continue to balance our support for artistic exploration and risk with our commitment to visitors and new audiences
Tara Donovan, Untitled (detail), 2008. Courtesy of PaceWildenstein, Photo: John Kennard.
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The ICA’s total attendance was the highest in its 73 year history.
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three world and numerous Boston premieres; a New Music Now concert by Fred Frith; Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell; Nature Theater of Oklahoma: Poetics: A Ballet Brut; and, of course, the unique performance by Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson at our Spring Benefit. With our summer programming, we have continued to use our magnificent harbor setting to bring visitors to the Boston waterfront with Talking Taste, HarborWalk Sounds, and Wavelengths. Through careful management and extraordinary generosity and support, the ICA delivered a balanced budget at the end of the fiscal year, and I am proud of the balance of ambitious programming and fiscal discipline. While attendance is just one measure of performance and impact, we are exceedingly proud of the number of people who were drawn to the ICA this year; we take even more pride in the growing level of satisfaction and education our visitors derived from their experiences here, according to our on-site surveys. The ICA’s total attendance for FY09 was 267,733, the highest in its 73 year history, even surpassing the attendance figures for the first fiscal year in our new location. The ICA has proved to be an exemplar in civic leadership, creating the ICA as a center for contemporary culture and steadily building an audience for contemporary art in Boston. Over the past year, the ICA welcomed 33,843 audience members and participants to its performances, films, Experiments and lectures, 15,521 people experienced the ICA through public and private group tours, and 7,604 Play Date families stretched their imaginations and explored their creativity.
In teen programming, with significant support from John Hancock Financial Services, 1,149 teens participated in digital media programs, teen nights and other educational programs such as Wall Talk. Over the past year, ICA programs reached large percentages of underserved youth who live in Boston neighborhoods (program percentages ranged from 51% of the Fast Forward/Teen New Media program to 69% of the WallTalk program to 78% of the Teen Night attendees). With the generous support of State Street Corporation for free admission to youth 17 and under, the ICA continues to expand its access to our next generation of thinkers, inventers, creators, and leaders. In its growing collection, the ICA accessioned five wonderful works by Louise Bourgeois, Roe Ethridge, and Nan Goldin to its collection, bringing the total number of works to 52 by 24 artists. The Board of Trustees, led by our chairman Dr. Paul Buttenwieser and President Charles Brizius, and our Board of Overseers, led by Nick Winton, exemplify all the values of the ICA. Their generosity of time, commitment, and resources makes our work both possible and better. Our members sustain us through their participation and support, our tour guides and volunteers expand our capacity, and our teens give us hope for a better future. Jill Medvedow
Director
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A young visitor explores Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand. Photo: John Kennard.
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From the President and Chair How gratifying to be able to report on the ICA’s successes in our first ever annual report. In a year that presented unexpected challenges, we have worked to preserve and sustain what makes us the ICA—innovation, creativity, civic leadership, and a talented, dedicated group of forward-thinking people. Pursuing a bold vision despite the odds has become a hallmark for us. We are extremely pleased to announce that we completed the fiscal year with a balanced budget. This is an enormous feat given the state of the economy, and we could not have accomplished it without the dedication of the Boards of Trustees and Overseers, and the smart focus of the tireless museum staff, ably led by Jill Medvedow. In times of uncertainty, the arts allow us to communicate, reflect, and open our minds to a different point of view or a new way of thinking. Now more than ever it is critical to expand our audiences and their access to creativity and ideas. Boston’s corporate community joins us in this effort and has demonstrated their commitment through the remarkable support of programs like Target Free Thursday Nights, the State Street Foundation’s Free Admission for Youth, and the John Hancock Teen Education Program. In expanding our reach, we’ve also expanded minds. Our three major exhibitions this past year—Anish Kapoor: Past, Present, Future, Tara Donovan, and Shepard Fairey: Supply and Demand—redefined the blockbuster. Critically acclaimed, enormously popular, and deeply affecting, the shows “changed the way Bostonians…look at contemporary art” (Boston Globe) and garnered the highest attendance in our 73-year history.
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As gratified as we are to be one of the top two most-visited art museums in New England, attendance is just one measure of performance and impact. We also value strengthening relationships and providing lasting connections with the art of our time. Our membership households have held steady at 6,345 despite the economic downturn. We have 54 corporate members and 17 corporate sponsors who have enabled us to continue presenting groundbreaking exhibitions and programs. We’re partnering with the area’s academic community through eight new institutional memberships. And we cannot forget the most committed, loyal, and generous part of the ICA family—the 215 members of the Director’s Circle, Ars Longa Society, and Founders Circle, whose pioneering support helps us realize our vision. We take enormous pride in the growing level of satisfaction and education our visitors derive from their experiences here, according to our on-site surveys. The ICA scores some of the highest visitor satisfaction ratings among all museums, according to recent surveys conducted by a national firm. This remarkable performance is a testament to the quality of our exhibitions and programs, improvements such as wayfinding, and to the increase in repeat visitation. Innovative interpretative strategies are no small part of this deepening experience. The Poss Family Mediatheque has been packed with visitors enjoying in-house documentaries. Audio commentaries, featuring the voices of artists, curators, and collectors, were accessed more than 28,000 times via cell phone, and on iPods borrowed more than 4,000 times. Providing more information about today’s art, whether through technology or human
Teen Night
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The ICA scores some satisfaction ratings interaction with specially-trained staff, the ICA engages and empowers visitors before, during, and after their visit. This online annual report is part of the ICA’s “going green.” In an effort to be both more environmentally- and budget-conscious—and in response to requests from many members—we have reduced the amount of materials we print and mail. The resounding success of the ICA’s programs, exhibitions, and operations in the past year would not have been possible without the commitment and passion of the ICA family, and we extend our gratitude to those whose work, support, and investment made the year so memorable.
Chuck Brizius, President Paul Buttenwieser, Chair
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of the highest visitor among all museums
Visitors discuss works by Nan Goldin in the ICA Collection. Photo: John Kennard.
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new acquisitions 2008–2009
Nan Goldin From Here to Maternity, 1986-2000 24 mounted cibachrome prints 60 x 100 in. (152 x 254 cm) Number 1, Edition of 3 Gift of Sandra and Gerald Fineberg 2009.1 This striking work is an assemblage of 24 candid photographs taken by Goldin during her travels through the US and Europe. The images collectively explore the archetypal mother-and-child relationship, depicting familiar and tender moments of parenthood.This unusually formatted work calls to mind Goldin’s early slideshows, such as The Ballad of Sexual Dependency, shown at the ICA in 1985.
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Louise Bourgeois Janus, 1968 Glazed porcelain 7 x 6 x 12 in. (17.7 x 15.2 x 30.4 cm) Unsigned, unnumbered edition of 7 Acquired through the generosity of the Sonnabend Family in memory of Roger P. Sonnabend 2009.2 Bourgeois created six versions of Janus in 1968, five in bronze and one in porcelain, each suspended by a single wire and free to spin on its axis. This evocatively corporeal object suggests male and female attributes, formed out of sleekly polished, milky-hued porcelain. Janus is an important addition to our holdings of Bourgeois’s work, which now includes three sculptural works and one work on paper.
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Nan Goldin Noa Dressing for the Venus Show at Shogun, Tokyo, 1994 20 x 24 in. (50.8 x 61 cm) Cibachrome Edition 1 of 15 Gift of Joan Sonnabend 2009.3 Tomoyuki in front of the TV, Tokyo, 1994 20 x 24 in. (50.8 x 61 cm) Cibachrome Edition 1 of 15 Gift of Joan Sonnabend 2009.4 These photographs are part of Goldin’s Tokyo Love series, which is also the title of a book she co-published with the Japanese photographer Nobuyoshi Araki. Struck by the beauty of Tokyo on a visit in the early 1990s, Goldin began to photograph strangers she encountered. The resulting series focuses on a group of teenagers who reminded Goldin of her tight-knit group of friends as they were coming of age. These prints complement another work in our collection from the Tokyo Love series, Honda brothers in cherry blossom storm, Tokyo, 1994.
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donor list $100,000 +
$50,000 - $99,999
Anonymous Kathleen and Charles Brizius Paul and Catherine Buttenwieser Bridgitt and Bruce R. Evans Audrey and Jim Foster Barbara Lee Family Foundation Tristin and Martin Mannion Kim and Jim Pallotta Elizabeth and Robert Pozen
Steven D. Corkin The Robert Davoli and Eileen L. McDonagh Charitable Foundation Angela and John DesPrez Corinne and Tim Ferguson Chris and Lisa Kaneb Curtis R. Kemeny Ofer and Shelly Nemirovsky Cynthia and John Reed Charles and Francene Rodgers Nancy B. Tieken $25,000 - $49,999 Anonymous Nancy Adams Robert and Jane Burke Ann and Marvin Collier Karen and Brian Conway Fotene Demoulas and Tom Cote Jean-Franรงois and Nathalie Ducrest Mary Schneider Enriquez and Juan Enriquez Sandra and Gerald Fineberg Jean-Franรงois Formela and Rachel Somer Niki and Alan Friedberg Jodi and William Hess Mark and Marie Schwartz Maggie Gold Seelig and Jonathan Seelig Michael Wilens Tricia and Nicholas Winton $10,000 - $24,999 Anonymous Eileen and John Brusger Ronald and Ronni Casty Tim and Kathryn Conway Gloria Cowen and Philip Cowen Betsey and Michael Danziger David Feinberg
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The Foster Family Lois Ansbert Gadicke Geoff Hargadon and Patricia La Valley Alan and Vivien Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Foundation Margaret and James Hunt George E. Kane Stephen T. Kunian and Lois R. Kunian Kathleen McGillycuddy and Ronald Logue Gwill York and Paul Maeder Gregory Maguire Sheryl Marshall and Howard Salwen Kathleen McDonough and Edward Berman Corinne Nagy and Richard Miner Dell and Tim Mitchell Ruth Moorman and Sheldon Simon Sandy and Les Nanberg Nikki and Harry Nudelman Jane and A. Neil Pappalardo Marlene and David Persky Timothy Phillips Steve Prostano Karen and Michael Rotenberg Mario Russo and Frank Gilligan B.J. and Malcolm Salter Sheldon N. Simon Becky Kidder Smith and Thomas Smith and Family Anthony and Beth Terrana Sandra A. Urie Heather Wells Nicole Zatlyn and Jason Weiner $5,000 - $9,999 David and Amy Abrams Gray Baldwin and Santo Politi Clark and Susana Bernard Jeanne and John Blasberg
The Cartin Family Eleanor Cornish Marilyn Fife and John Cragin Judith Donath Rebecca and Martin Eisenberg Bob and Esta Epstein Sarah and Staffan Ericsson Sue and Nat Jeppson Naomi Milgrom and John Kaldor Nada and Steven Kane Alvin and Barbara Krakow Dan Mathieu and Tom Potter Elena and Thomas Matlack Nathan and Rebecca Milikowsky Linda and John Nelson Alison A. Righter Sherry Robinson Abi Ross Goodman Alan Savenor Lisa Schiff Edith Springer and Lavinia Chase Rose and David Thorne Rose Zoltek-Jick Judi Rotenberg Ross Zuker and Edward Zuker $2,000 - $4,999 Anonymous Dan Allen Justin Amaral David and Estelle Andelman Maren Anderson and Duke Collier Lucille Aptekar and Gerald Leader Anna and Christian Bailey Peter and Mary Barrett Anne Kaplan and Paul Bessire Julie and Kevin Callaghan J.C. Cannistraro, Jr. David and Karin Chamberlain Alberta Chu and Murray Robinson
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Mr. Dan Ciampa William Cottingham Peter H. Creighton Anne and Stephen Cucchiaro Brit and Alexander D'Arbeloff Richard W. Donoho Maura Connolly and John Egan Jennifer Epstein and William Keravuori Maureen and Jeff Fagnan Diane Feldman Courtney and Mike Forrester Jeffrey Zinsmeyer and Shanti Fry Ann Gallo Alison Quartermain Gersten and Samuel Gersten Per and Ulla Gjorstrup Lev Glazman Carol and Avram Goldberg Lynne and Joseph Goodman Denise Grant Linda and William Green Ann and Graham Gund Peter H. Herman and Stephanie Bradie Nancy and Peter Hill Margaret Sullivan and Frank Ingari Charlotte and Louis Kaitz Molly Kapor Barbara and Leo Karas Seth and Beth Klarman Demetrios Klidaras Lynne Kortenhaus Kim and Matthew Kozol Janet Krock Lizbeth and George Krupp Frank H. Laukien Ms. Robyn Laukien Ron Lawner Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Lee
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Suzanne Logan Tamaki and Jonathan Lonske Kristen and Kent Lucken Beth and Rick Marcus Jane and Scott Maxwell Rose Ellen and Brian McCaig Jill Medvedow and Richard Kazis Tali and Mark Minelli Christine Moore and Paul Russo Kristin Hicks and Robert Nagle Laura DeBonis and Scott Nathan Jeremy Nobel Christian Nolen and Susan Denny Susan W. Paine Karen Pfefferle and Geoff Cisler Robin and Jeffrey Plunkett Jamiel E. Poindexter William L. Rawn Elizabeth Riley and Dan Smith Beatrice Roy William Ruhl Holly Safford Arnold Sapenter and Joseph Reed Sara Lou and Jeff Sherman Lori and Matthew Sidman Rachel and Tony Solomons Lucille and Rick Spagnuolo Ingrid and Steven Stadler Brenda S. Star Pat and Arthur Stavaridis Cathleen & James Stone Stacy Sweeney Meg Tallon and Jim Gordon John Travis Jane Watson Stetson and Eugene Stetson Roberta and Steve Weiner Clare Villari and David Weinstein
$1,000 - $1,999 Maho and Shinichiro Abe Allison and William Achtmeyer Judy Paprin and Rick Anders Betty Jane and Stephen Andrus Murray Forman and Zamawa Arenas Dorothy and David Arnold Sharyn Bahn Barbara and George Beal Steven Bercu Ellen Fells Berkman and David Bryant Suzanne and Jeffrey Bloomberg Jim Boorstein Annette Born Katrine Bosley Gordon Burnes and Suzie Tapson Maura and Allen Carney Fay Chandler Nancy and Douglas Cole Ann and George Colony Beatrice and William Cox Marian and Michael Cronin Beth Dickerson Evelyn and Robert Doran Beth and David Drubner Cindy Estes and Rob Jones Lisa and Robert Fast Nancy Feldman David Forbes Kenneth Freed Eleanor Friedman and Jonathan Cohen Leslie Riedel and Scott Friend Jeffrey and Mary Furber Pia Gedeon and Trond Skramstad Karen Gilman Randy and Steve Goldberger Joel Goldstein and Reed Goodman
Meg and James Gordon Louise Gorovoy Barbara Lemperly Grant and Frederic Grant Barbara and Steven Grossman Connie and James Houghton Emily Isenberg and Russell LaMontagne Millicent Jick Lauren Joy and Elyse Etling Katharine D. Kane Anne Kubik and Mike Krupka Grace Lau Stacey and David Lee Barbara Lloyd Sharon and Alistair Lowe Joseph MacDonald and Tom Hennes E A McAuliffe Holly McGrath and David Bruce Christopher Mekal and Gilles Quintal Leslie Nicholson and Ron Nordin Kathleen O'Hara and Malcolm Walsh Carroll and Robert Pierce Sam Plimpton Lia and William Poorvu Charlotte and Irving Rabb Charitable Foundation Diane and Edwin Reynolds Karen Rosenkrantz and Cornelis Terhorst Alison Ross Melanie Salisburg and Mark Wilder Laurene Sperling and Scott Sperling Susan Ricci and Ted Stebbins Marie Kieran and Frank Stufano Nellie Taft Sandra Tanen and Ronald Hirschberg Lisa Tung and Spencer Glendon Clara and Bill Wainwright Teryn and Karl Weintz Rya Zobel
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Corporate support Corporate Sponsors (including in-kind) Anglo Irish Bank Bank of America Be Our Guest, Inc. Converse Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC Francis Ford Coppola Presents Harpoon Brewery HP Hood John Hancock Financial Services JP Morgan Chase Foundation Karmaloop Levi Strauss & Co. M.S. Walker Inc. Moody Street Pictures National Grid Foundation OBEY Clothing Party by Design Phoenix Communications Group Putnam Investmests Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel Silver Bridge State Street Corporation Target Corporation Verizon Foundation Winston Flowers Corporate Members The Abbey Group AEW Capital Management, L.P. American Association for Thoracic Surgery Analysis Group, Inc. Atlantic Trust Autodesk, Inc. B.R. Alexander & Co., Inc. Babson Capital Management LLC Bank of America The Bank of New York Mellon
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Bloomberg Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Boston Scientific Corp. Brigham and Women's Hospital Cabot Corporation Carlin Charron and Rosen, CPA Charles River Laboratories Christie's Compass Group Inc. Continuum Converse Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation Delta Dental of Massachusetts Deutsche Bank Digitas Eastern Bank Faber Daeufer & Rosenberg, PC Fidelity Investments Gale International General Catalyst Goldman Sachs & Co. Goodwin Procter LLP Hill Holliday John Snow, Inc. Massachusetts Convention Center Authority MiAlisa Salon North Bridge Venture Partners Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP PUMA North America Putnam Investments RBC Dain Rauscher Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott Sotheby's Syska & Hennessy Thermo Fisher Scientific Trinity Partners Venegas and Company Volvo Group North America
Government & Foundation Support Adobe Foundation Anonymous Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation The Boston Foundation Boston Foundation for Architecture Cabot Family Charitable Trust Carl and Ruth Shapiro Family Foundation Fidelity Foundation Highland Street Foundation Hunt Alternatives Fund Jacques and Natasha Gelman Trust Janey Fund Krupp Family Foundation LEF Foundation Massachusetts Cultural Council Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Mexico Tourism Board Nathaniel Saltonstall Arts Fund National Endowment for the Arts New England Foundation for the Arts Nimoy Foundation Paul and Phyllis Fireman Foundation Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation Rowland Foundation Roy A. Hunt Foundation Surdna Foundation swissnex boston Wallace Foundation William E. Schrafft and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust
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2008-2009 Board of Trustees Charles Brizius Dr. Paul Buttenwieser Ann K. Collier Steven D. Corkin Robert Davoli Fotene Demoulas John DesPrez Mary Schneider Enriquez Bridgitt Evans Tim Ferguson Jerry Fineberg Jean-François Formela James C. Foster Niki Friedberg Ansbert Gadicke Vivien Hassenfeld Christopher Kaneb William Kelly Curtis R. Kemeny Barbara Lee Ronald E. Logue Tristin Mannion Sheryl Marshall Jill Medvedow* Ofer Nemirovsky James Pallotta Ellen M. Poss, M.D. Elizabeth Kelner Pozen Charles Rodgers Karen Rotenberg Mario Russo Mark Schwartz Jonathan Seelig Anthony Terrana, DMD David Thorne Nancy B. Tieken Nicholas D. Winton* *ex-officio
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Honorary Trustees Clark Bernard Vin Cipolla Steven J. Stadler 2008-2009 Board of Overseers Jacqueline Bernat William Burhoe John J. Burke Robert E. Burke Ronni Casty Karen Conway Kathryn Conway Michael Danziger Judith Donath Nathalie Ducrest Jennifer Epstein Elizabeth Erdreich-White Diane Feldman John Foster William H. Hess Nathaniel Jeppson Charla Jones Nada Kane Lindsay Boutros-Ghali Klein Matthew Kozol Barbara Krakow Stephen Kunian Ron Lawner Barbara Lloyd Elizabeth Lowrey Kent Lucken Dan Mathieu Travis McCready Mark Minelli Richard Miner Sandra L. Nanberg Shelly Nemirovsky
Nikki Nudelman Deborah Pege Marlene Persky Timothy Phillips Stephen Prostano Bryan Rafanelli Alison Akin Righter Abigail Ross-Goodman Holly Safford B.J. Salter Arnold Sapenter Sheldon Simon Thomas Smith Rachel Somer Formela Edith Springer Ingrid Stadler Brenda Star Caroline Taggart Heather Wells Nicholas D. Winton, Chair Gwill York Nicole Zatlyn
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08–