From the director After months of few in-person events, Worcester’s cultural sector was enthusiastically revived this past summer with street festivals, concerts, outdoor and indoor performances, art exhibitions and, of course, baseball. ArtsWorcester’s much-anticipated biennial, the JMAC’s (Jean McDonough Arts Center) eclectic variety of pop-up events, and The Hanover Theatre’s fabulous August presentation of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” outside City Hall were just some of the activities that infused downtown with vitality and energy. Here in the Salisbury Cultural District, music returned to Institute Park with the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra’s concert series, while WAM’s dynamic exhibition, The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion, introduced a whole new audience to the Museum. The common engine for all of these—what makes Worcester a great place to live—is a commitment by the residents of our community to support and nourish the cultural organizations and programs that they hold dear. There is no better example of that commitment than Jean McDonough, who passed away on August 22, and her husband, Myles, who predeceased her in 2012. Together, starting in their garage, they built a successful business, FLEXcon, and over several decades gave generously to the city and organizations they loved. In recent years, Jean made several transformational gifts that will shape Worcester’s cultural organizations for years to come. In 2015, the C. Jean and Myles McDonough Charitable Foundation gave over $15 million to seven organizations, including $4 million to endow the Worcester Art Museum’s directorship. This was followed in 2019 by a $10 million gift to WAM— the largest in our history. Our reimagined and fully accessible Lancaster Plaza is the first visible manifestation of that gift. The Worcester Art Museum and the City of Worcester’s cultural life is stronger and healthier because of Jean and Myles McDonough’s support—and that of their children who are carrying on their parents’ legacy. This summer we witnessed what can happen when philanthropy works hand-in-hand with civic and business leadership. The on-time completion of Polar Park (despite pandemic challenges) and its astounding success in bringing crowds not only for WooSox games, but for all manner of community events, demonstrates the power of collaboration and shared vision. The success of The Iconic Jersey: Baseball x Fashion, created to coincide with the opening of Polar Park, was in large part because of the momentum created around City Manager Ed Augustus’ vision and determined commitment to build the ballpark in Worcester. Connecting baseball with art through The Iconic Jersey was WAM’s way of participating in this unifying moment when civic and cultural organizations, businesses, and philanthropists all came together with the common goal of making our city a healthy, strong, vital, welcoming place to live and visit. We are proud to be part of that remarkable effort. I am grateful to live in a city with a growing art scene, where members of the community come together to strengthen valued organizations, and where new projects and partners are enthusiastically welcomed. Please enjoy this new issue of access magazine and please attend the many programs and exhibitions we have planned during the coming months—from a traveling exhibition from London to a new Master Series season. In honor of Jean and Myles McDonough, we will continue to work together to ensure WAM is a major partner in building a thriving Worcester.
Matthias Waschek Jean and Myles McDonough Director
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The Worcester Art Museum's mission is to connect people, communities, and cultures through the experience of art.
WORCESTER ART MUSEUM
Board of Trustees 2021 Dorothy Chen-Courtin, President Mark W. Fuller, Vice President Douglas S. Brown, Vice President Susan M. Bassick, Clerk Sarah G. Berry, Treasurer Karin I. Branscombe James C. Donnelly, Jr. Antonella Doucette Lisa Kirby Gibbs Jennifer C. Glowik-Adams Karen M. Keane Sohail Masood Lisa H. McDonough Margaret McEvoy-Ball Thomas P. McGregor Philip R. Morgan Malcolm A. Rogers John Savickas Clifford J. Schorer Jonathan R. Sigel Anne-Marie Soullière Cynthia L. Strauss George W. Tetler III Christina Villena Valerie Zolezzi-Wyndham Ex Officio Matthias Waschek Jean and Myles McDonough Director
