University of California, Davis, Chancellor Gary S. May announced today (Feb. 14) he will award the 2023 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis Medal, the university鈥檚 highest honor, to international arts patron and philanthropist Maria Manetti Shrem.
Manetti Shrem is the largest supporter of what is known as the 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis arts renaissance, funding visionary projects such as the , artist residencies and new arts curricula in the .
鈥淢aria鈥檚 profound arts legacy and passion for creating opportunities for exploration, learning and engagement with art and artists has enriched the lives of everyone in our community, and will continue to do so over the years to come,鈥 May said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to honor her with this exclusive award.鈥
The medal puts Maria Manetti Shrem in company with 2020 Nobel Laureate Charles Rice, artist Wayne Thiebaud, former President Bill Clinton, and fellow philanthropists Robert and Margrit Mondavi in recognition of extraordinary contributions that embody 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 vision.
鈥淚t means the world to me. I am elated and humbled to receive such a high honor and recognition from 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis,鈥 Manetti Shrem said. 鈥淚 owe this connection to my very much missed great friend and mentor, Margrit Mondavi. The Manetti Shrem Museum and the College of Letters and Science are groundbreaking institutions. I am very proud to consistently support them.鈥
Artistic inspiration
Maria Manetti Shrem and her husband, Jan Shrem, have long given to philanthropic causes supporting education, fine arts, performing arts, medical research and cultural organizations in the U.S., Italy and the United Kingdom.
The couple achieved their dreams through independently successful careers: Maria Manetti Shrem as the principal force behind Gucci鈥檚 integration into American department specialty stores, and Jan Shrem as the founder of an international book publishing firm and Clos Pegase winery.
Their shared love of the arts inspired the couple to connect to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis, with its legacy of excellence as the home to world-famous artists such as Thiebaud, Robert Arneson and William T. Wiley.
In the years since, the Manetti Shrem couple have become increasingly involved, expanding the vision for and reputation of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis arts programs. Dean Estella Atekwana of the College of Letters and Science added that Manetti Shrem鈥檚 support means even more because of Maria鈥檚 personal love for the university.
鈥淢aria is an Aggie, full stop. She has a deep affinity with 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis and refers to us as 鈥榦ur鈥 or 鈥榤y university鈥 when speaking with others,鈥 Atekwana said.
A museum for all
The Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis was funded by a $10 million naming gift from the couple in 2011, one of the largest gifts to the arts in 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 history. Manetti Shrem鈥檚 giving has continued to grow over the last decade, doubling the initial fund. In addition, her international influence and advocacy have raised the visibility of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 arts programs worldwide.
鈥淛an and I have always loved art. We feel so happy and thankful to contribute to the realization of the Manetti Shrem Museum, where we are bringing art to everyone, providing free activities for all, giving voice to all kinds of diversity and freedom of expression,鈥 she said, noting that the museum is California鈥檚 only listing on
As the museum has opened and grown into a hub of creative practice for today鈥檚 thinkers, makers and innovators with programs and exhibitions reflecting and serving the community, Manetti Shrem has provided ongoing support, including more than $6 million in endowment matches to inspire community engagement. She also serves on the advisory board, playing a leadership role in raising 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis鈥 reputation in the arts.
鈥淢aria is our greatest champion. From the very beginning, she and Jan saw the potential of what this museum could be and have actively contributed their time, talent and resources to bring the vision to life,鈥 said Rachel Teagle, founding director of the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art.
鈥淢aria invests in success and is dedicated to ensuring that our exhibitions remain dynamic, and that the museum remains daring, now and for future generations.鈥
World-class arts education
Maria Manetti Shrem has also made a significant impact in the College of Letters and Science鈥檚 by creating the . The program brings leading contemporary artists to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis to teach and inspire experimentation and innovation among students.
Established in 2020, the studio has brought top-level talent to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis 鈥 including artistic powerhouses , and 鈥 all through programs with open access. Visiting artists receive a generous stipend and institutional support thanks to Manetti Shrem鈥檚 gift.
鈥淢aria has a keen business sense and understood that this initiative would relaunch us onto the world stage, and it has been an unparalleled success,鈥 said Atekwana. 鈥淲hen our students see how the artists Maria has helped bring to 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis push their boundaries, we know they feel encouraged and empowered to do the same.鈥
Maria Manetti Shrem has also been key in establishing a relationship between 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis and the in London. She has fostered communications and exchange between faculty and administrators and supported multiple scholarships for 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis graduates to go on to study at the Royal Drawing School.
鈥淲e鈥檙e also so happy to support the Manetti Shrem California Studio programs which bring renowned artists to teach at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis. Also, thanks to our annual scholarship, four graduate art students can study for 12 weeks at the Royal Drawing School of His Majesty King Charles III,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e are contributing to strengthen relationships between the two continents.鈥
The university will present the medal to Maria Manetti Shrem in June, details to be announced.
MORE AT THE MUSEUM
- , including Professor Emeritus Mike Henderson鈥檚 first solo U.S. museum exhibition in 20 years.
-
: Public lecture by Cecilia Alemani, curator of Venice鈥檚 Biennale Arte 2022 and, since 2011, director and chief curator of New York City鈥檚 High Line Art. (Feb. 14, free, in person)
Media Resources
Media Contact:
- Betsy Towner Levine, Development and Alumni Relations, 530-752-9693, etlevine@ucdavis.edu