Gund recognized for philanthropy

Agnes Gund ’60

Agnes Gund ’60, president emerita of the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), is one of this year’s recipients of the Andrew Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

The medal, which honors inspiring philanthropists, was established in 2001 and is presented every two years.

Gund majored in history at CC and has always been interested in art. She led MOMA from 1991 to 2002, playing a key role in its recent expansion. Gund also established the “Studio in a School” program, a nonprofit that recruits professional artists to teach in New York City’s public schools. She started the program in 1977 after the city, facing a fiscal crisis, cut all of its art classes.

Gund’s approach to philanthropy has been to take on projects that aim to decrease poverty.

“A good philanthropist has to be hungry to learn new things and meet new people, as well as understand the historical basis of problems,” she said.

Gund is one of five philanthropists to receive Carnegie medals this year. The award ceremony will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland on Oct. 4.

The Carnegie foundations support scientific research and educational and social development projects around the world.