PRESS RELEASE
Museum Association of New York Honors Coby Foundation
Executive Director Emeritus Ward L.E. Mintz
April 9, 2025
The Museum Association of New York (MANY) has presented Ward L.E. Mintz, Executive Director Emeritus of The Coby Foundation, its Anne Ackerson Innovation in Museum Leadership Award. The Ackerson Award honors a museum professional who has made significant contributions to the museum field. Awardees are selected for their commitment to accessibility, equity, and inclusion, and their dedicated work towards community engagement, relevance, and sustainability. MANY presented the award on April 7 at its annual conference in Ithaca, along with other awards for individuals whose dedication, innovation, and leadership continue to elevate the museum field across New York State.
According to Sheila McDaniel, MANY’s Interim Executive Director, “Mintz’s distinguished career in the arts reflects his deep commitment to advancing museums, promoting diversity, and strengthening connections between art and communities. His leadership has profoundly influenced institutions, the museum profession, and the broader cultural landscape.”
MANY highlighted Ward’s numerous achievements: “As Director of the Museum Program at NYSCA, Ward administered millions in grants, enhancing collaboration among museums. At the Jewish Museum, he oversaw exhibitions like Bridges and Boundaries, exploring African American and Jewish relations. His tenure at the Newark Museum brought impactful initiatives celebrating the city’s cultural diversity. As an educator at FIT, he mentored future museum professionals, leaving a lasting impact on the field. Ward’s leadership at the Coby Foundation supported exhibitions on textiles and underrepresented artists, emphasizing equity and inclusion. In Kingston, he helped establish the Kingston Arts Commission and contributed to organizations preserving local heritage. At the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, he served as advisory board chair for nearly seven years. Under his leadership, the museum grew its reach and influence with initiatives such as an exhibition on Ben Wigfall, the influential African American artist. Ward also spearheaded programs connecting underserved communities to the arts, fostering accessibility and engagement with new audiences. Through his transformative leadership at institutions across New York State and beyond, Ward’s career exemplifies the power of museums to inspire, connect, and educate. His enduring legacy continues shaping the museum field, enriching cultural institutions and communities.”
During his two decades leading the Coby Foundation (2003-2024), Ward helped to shape the organization’s mission and ensured its commitment to equity and inclusion. Through his grantmaking efforts, he left an indelible mark on the field of textiles and fiber arts. During his tenure, he oversaw the distribution of nearly $10 million to museums across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions for innovative exhibitions, programs, and publications related to textiles.
About the Coby Foundation
The mission of the Coby Foundation is to foster a deeper understanding and public appreciation of textiles and the needle arts by encouraging innovative scholarship, engaging exhibitions, and expanded access to museum collections.
The Foundation supports exhibitions, public programs, publications, conservation, and community art projects at museums and other non-profit organizations across the Mid-Atlantic and New England. In the spirit of its founder, Irene Z. Silverman (1916-1998), the Coby Foundation champions creative expression and embraces the full spectrum of textile arts across techniques, time periods, and cultures.
The Foundation encourages grant applications through its website, www.cobyfoundation.org.