On Thursday 13 October, the sixth annual Marsh Awards for Excellence in Gallery Education celebrated the hard work, dedication and innovation of colleagues working within the sector of gallery, museum and visual arts education. The awards are funded by the Marsh Christian Trust and run by engage, the support and advocacy organization for gallery education, whose mission is to increase access to the visual arts.
Chief Engagement Officer Merilee Mostove was one of 5 individuals to receive the prestigious Marsh Award for Gallery Education.
CMA’s Chief Engagement Officer Merilee Mostov was one of five individuals who received awards, presented by Professor Roderick Bugg, Ambassador of the Marsh Christian Trust, and Lesley Butterworth, Chair of engage, during the annual engage International Conference in Liverpool. The awards are open to those working in galleries and visual arts organizations, and colleagues are invited to nominate deserving co-workers every summer. The winners receive £500 to spend on their professional development, and are open to both UK and international colleagues. Feedback from previous winners has been overwhelmingly positive – they have been delighted to receive recognition for their work and have reported increased confidence and opportunities as a result of winning the award, as well as, benefits for the organizations where they worked.
“This is the sixth year that engage has celebrated the achievements of colleagues through the Marsh Awards for Excellence in Gallery Education. As ever the panel were extremely impressed by the quality of nominations received from individuals at all stages of their careers, working as freelancers and employees across the UK and internationally. We are proud to work with the Marsh Christian Trust to mark the valuable contribution made by colleagues in making the visual arts more accessible,” said Jane Sillis, Director of Engage in the Visual Arts.
As Chief Engagement Officer at the Columbus Museum of Art, Merilee Mostov leads the museum exhibition planning process, as well as, developing a diverse range of in-gallery experiences. She also curates several experimental galleries within the museum, including The Wonder Room, the Big Idea Gallery and the Creative Lounge. Mostov was nominated by Deputy Director of Learning and Experience, Cindy Meyers Foley. “Merilee developed our strategy for Visitor Engagement by rallying an interdepartmental team, prototyping ideas, and researching the results. She developed an outcomes-based exhibition form to ensure that we are not only intentional about learning outcomes but are also providing opportunities for visitors to “think like artists. Merilee’s work has had an incredible impact on our community.” said Foley.
