The Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums has posted a call for nominations for their Katherine Coffey Award, to be announced on October 18, 2018. The award recognizes the lifetime achievement of an individual museum professional in the Mid-Atlantic region. Eligible nominees should be paid professionals in the museum industry of the Mid-Atlantic region with at least ten years in a principle position. They must demonstrate a clear record of service to the community in which they are employed. The deadline for nominations is August 15 at 5:00 pm EST.
The award’s namesake was a long-time leader of the Newark Museum in New Jersey. Coffee joined the Newark Museum in 1923, shortly after her graduation from Barnard College. She took a permanent position as a curator and programs director in 1925 and remained with them until her retirement in 1968. In 1949, she became the museum’s executive director. The award was first presented to Hannah Toby, recently retired from the Brooklyn Museum, weeks after Coffey’s death in 1972 and has been awarded annually since.
The 2017 award was presented to Richard Piacentini, Executive Director of the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pa. Piacentini has led a revitalization of the conservatory since 1994. Under his guidance, the Center for Sustainable Landscapes was constructed on the site. It is currently the only building in the world to simultaneously hold LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, 4 Stars Sustainable Sites, and Living Building Challenge certifications.
See the Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums’ announcement for more information and submission instructions.