The Vilcek Foundation

🎥 🏗️✏️✨ Next month, “Stardust: The Story of Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown” screens at the Architecture & Design Film Festival in New York, premiering at the Angelika Film Center & Cafe on September 25, with support from The Architectural League of New York. "Stardust" follows architects and urban planners Denise Scott Brown and Robert Venturi, who, in their wide-ranging career, founded VSBA Architects & Planners. “Stardust” captures the monumental architects as they look back to the events and buildings that inspired a partnership and love affair over half a century.⁣ ⁣ Despite her era-defying and defining work, Scott Brown often had to take extra strides to overcome sexist views that regularly sidelined her accomplishments to her husband’s. In the essay “Room at the top? Sexism and the Star System in Architecture,” Scott Brown described her struggle to be recognized as an equal partner of the firm in an architecture world that was predominantly male. She has since been an advocate for #WomeninArchitecture and has spoken out about discrimination within the profession on several accounts.⁣ ⁣ For her leadership in architecture and urban planning, Denise Scott Brown was awarded The Vilcek Foundation Prize in Architecture in 2007. Her practice and writing has embraced such disparate ideas as pluralism and multiculturalism, social justice and activism, Pop Art, popular culture, economics, computer theory, and many other contemporary issues impacting architecture and urbanism today.⁣ ⁣ Check out #Stardust at the #ADFF in New York, which runs September 25-28, 2024, and learn more about Scott Brown on our website.⁣ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dxaxSnBN #Architect #Architects #Architecture #Documentary #WomenArchitects #Design #ADFFNY #Film #Filmmaker #UrbanPlanning #UrbanDesign #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #VilcekPrizes

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy penned a powerful and essential op-ed in The New York Times about his decision to issue an advisory to call attention to the stress and mental health concerns facing parents and caregivers and to lay out what we can do to address them.⁣ ⁣ “The joys [of parenting] are indeed abundant,” Murthy writes, “but as fulfilling as parenting has been, the truth is it has also been more stressful than any job I’ve had.”⁣ ⁣ The mental health challenges faced by parents — just like loneliness, workplace well-being and the impact of social media on youth mental health — aren’t always visible, but they can take a steep toll. Murthy suggests some powerful paths forward for a more healthy parenting culture: better financial support, affordable and safe childcare, paid family and maternal leave, and addressing pervasive sources of worry for parents, like gun violence and the harms of social media.⁣ ⁣ The Vilcek Foundation awarded Murthy the Vilcek-Gold Award for Humanism in Healthcare in 2020, a joint prize with The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. The prize was awarded to immigrant professionals whose work has had a profound impact on medicine and healthcare in the United States. 📰 Read on for Murthy's full opinion piece:⁣ ⁣ https://lnkd.in/dpRkzdnu ⁣ #Parenting #Childcare #SurgeonGeneral #Health #Healthcare #VivekMurthy #NYT #MentalHealth

A research breakthrough in the basis of Rett Syndrome! Single molecule biophysicist and Shixin Liu has published new research on protein MeCP2, and the way chemical interactions of this protein with nucleosomes are related to the development of #RettSyndrome. Liu is an associate professor at The Rockefeller University, and the recipient of a 2023 Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Biomedical Science from The Vilcek Foundation. “People have been studying this protein for decades without a clear consensus on what it is doing, where it binds to the genome, and what its functions are,” says The Rockefeller University’s Liu. Now, a new study from Liu’s laboratory sheds light on how the protein, MeCP2, interacts with DNA and chromatin. The findings, published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology (A Nature Portfolio publication), provide insight into this master regulator, and could open up new avenues for Rett syndrome therapies. Shixin Liu earned his BS in biology at the University of Science and Technology of China; he immigrated to the United States to pursue his PhD in chemistry at Harvard University. Read more about Liu's latest research in the following article from the Rockefeller University. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/dBGYcG73 #Biochemistry #Biophysics #DiversityinSTEM #Immigrants #ImmigrantsinSTEM #Research #HarvardAlumni #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #RockefellerUniversity #VilcekPrizes

This #MeetTheTeamMonday, we’re introducing our multitalented Creative Content Manager, Kayla Clifford.⁣ ⁣ Kayla first joined The Vilcek Foundation in early 2019 as an intern, providing administrative, research, and communications support before assuming their current position in October of that year. As Creative Content Manager, Kayla assists in the development and implementation of events and programs, and also works closely with executive staff on the development of brand identity, through the cultivation of content and production of videos for web and social media.⁣ ⁣ They have been a producer and project manager on many of our most exciting creative projects over the past several years, including our video series highlighting the community curators of “Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery,” and a forthcoming video highlighting the work of artist Sergio Tapia. Kayla was the executive producer of “Keys to My City,” a short film featuring Italian-born dancer and choreographer Alice Gosti which debuted at the Queens World Film Festival in 2022. Meanwhile, Kayla has been at the helm of the foundation’s manga projects with artist Hiroki Otsuka, and our audiobook publications (now on Spotify!).⁣ ⁣ Prior to working with the Vilcek Foundation, Kayla was a summer program coordinator with the American Language Institute; this experience ignited Kayla’s passion for working to support foreign-born persons living and working in the United States and inspired them to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. Kayla was born and raised in South Africa, and values being able to work with the Vilcek Foundation to highlight and honor the contributions of immigrants in the arts and sciences.⁣ ⁣ Outside of their work with the Vilcek Foundation, Kayla is actively engaged in the performing arts; they are a writer, director, and art director.⁣ ⁣ Learn more about Kayla at the following link, and stay tuned for more #MeetTheTeamMondays!⁣ ⁣ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eUjBDhZT 📸 Headshot photo by Peter Hurley #PerformingArts #WriterDirector #CreativeContent #Film #CreativeProfessionals #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #ImmigrantStories

What a fascinating collaboration highlighting the importance and wide-ranging histories of #AmericanChinatowns! The National Trust for Historic Preservation has partnered with Google Arts & Culture to launch a storytelling hub as part of its America’s Chinatowns initiative.⁣ ⁣ “Welcome to America’s Chinatowns" was developed in collaboration with over 14 organizations and eight individual artists and creators. Together, they have created a portal of 70 stories that center and elevate the work of communities, grassroots advocates, and institutions supporting Chinatowns across the country.⁣ ⁣ There is no single story for Chinatowns across the United States. Some were established in the 1860s, while others formed in the 1970s and even later, and today their histories are found in rural towns to large cities. Chinatowns are an essential part of the American story, and we’re fascinated and inspired by this project to advocate for, preserve, and celebrate Chinatowns across the country.⁣ ⁣ Check out the powerful, interactive, and dynamic project:⁣ https://lnkd.in/gn9f479s #ImmigrantStories #Chinatown #AmericanChinatown #ArtsandCulture #HistoricPreservation #Storytelling #AAPI #AsianAmerican

We are delighted to see so many artists in our extended networks honored as Artist Fellows and Finalists from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) and New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). In particular, we want to congratulate Cameroonian-born filmmaker Ellie Foumbi for being named a finalist in Video Film! We were honored to share her debut feature, "Our Father, The Devil" at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival in 2022. Also, we congratulate Mexican-born artist Blanka Amezkua on being named a finalist in Folk/Traditional Arts. We were honored to support Blanka's artist residency with the Hispanic Society Museum and Library in 2020-2022! The Vilcek Foundation is a proud supporter of NYFA's Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program. #Art #NYFA #NYSCA #Immigrants #ImmigrantArtists #WomenArtists #WomenMakeMovies

#MeetTheTeamMonday is back, and this week we’re thrilled to celebrate our Program Coordinator Sheyhan Witharana. Shey has been part of The Vilcek Foundation since 2018, recently making the transition to more programmatic work after serving as Executive Assistant. He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and insights from this role, where he worked across departments, including communications and grantmaking, to support intiatives like the New American Perspectives program with the Hawai‘i International Film Festival. In 2023, he coordinated our staff retreat in Santa Fe, a key moment for staff team-building and organizational growth. As a Program Coordinator, he works closely with Vilcek Foundation President Rick Kinsel and program officer Zahra Banyamerian on the Vilcek Foundation prizes, supporting their development at a thrilling juncture for the Foundation. He also coordinates the appointment and administration of consultants and jurors and the administration of the application process, and liaises with the board of directors. Originally from Phoenix, Witharana is the son of immigrants from Sri Lanka. He is passionate about the power of philanthropy to enact real change, and appreciates the opportunity to work closely with foreign-born artists and scientists. Shey has already hit the ground running in his new role, working with Zahra to coordinate jury meetings, review hundreds of prize applications, and coordinate prize events for the foundation. We’re all excited to see Shey achieve and grow in this role, and we look forward to what comes next! 🔗 https://lnkd.in/emqFZRrK #MeetTheTeamMonday #VilcekFoundation #VilcekPrizes #ProgramCoordinator #CommunicationsSupport #ArtsManagement #Grantmaking #Philanthropy

Did you know August 17th is #NationalNonprofitDay? This weekend, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate all the incredible nonprofits, big and small, The Vilcek Foundation has worked with and supported over the years. Just some recent examples include: – The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc, which helps immigrants and refugees become successful workers, parents and community members – The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), which educates and engages African American and Black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice. – New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), which empowers the creative community by providing critical support, resources, and opportunities. We’re also inspired by NYFA’s Immigrant Artist Program, which provides mentorship and connects artists with services and resources. – Japan Society, the premier organization connecting Japanese arts, culture, language, business, and society with audiences in New York and the world. And that’s just to name a few! The full list would be too big to share, but you can check the link below for everyone we’ve supported with grants since 2000. Meanwhile, let’s not forget the wonderful staff who help run our own programs, working each day to better implement the Vilcek Foundation’s mission to advance and honor immigrant contributions in the arts and sciences. Happy National Nonprofit Day! #Nonprofit #ImmigrantStories #HIFF44 #RacialJustice #ImmigrantJustice #NYFA #ImmigrantArtists #NGO #Holiday 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eGt76Wx3

The Vilcek Foundation is proud to announce the unveiling of a newly commissioned artwork, "¡Mexican! American!" by artist Sergio Tapia.⁣ ⁣ The piece will be revealed tonight at a special reception hosted by foundation president Rick Kinsel and staff at the historic Bishop's Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection in Santa Fe. Fittingly, the reception coincides with the 2024 Santa Fe Indian Market and follows on the heels of the 72nd Traditional Spanish Market – where Sergio first showed his work at the age of eight.⁣ ⁣ "¡Mexican! American!" incorporates a variety of elements that speak to the artist’s deep roots in the region and to New Mexico’s multifaceted historical narrative: from religious iconography that recalls the Spanish colonial era, to the politics and playfulness of Chicano art, to the vibrant ingenuity of lowrider car culture.⁣ ⁣ The idea for this commission came in 2008, when Rick Kinsel encountered works by Tapia and his father at the Owings Gallery in Santa Fe. The commission of this work underscores the Foundation’s commitment to collaborating with diverse artists in the cities in which the Foundation works.⁣ Learn more about the new artwork and Sergio Tapia’s career!⁣ 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eubZEPUH 📸 Photographs of Sergio Tapia's finished sculpture, "¡Mexican! American!" courtesy of James Hart Photography, Santa Fe, NM.

The Vilcek Foundation mourns the passing of Jung Lee Sanders, a longtime friend of the foundation, and member of our Board of Directors. A leader in contemporary arts and curatorial practices, Sanders founded Art Projects International in 1993 to provide support to Asian artists in New York. "As an immigrant, a woman, and a scholar of art history and museum studies, Jung identified the need to create a platform for immigrant artists—a mission that resonated deeply for Jan and myself,” says Vilcek Foundation Cofounder Marica Vilcek. “What she did was nothing short of phenomenal, but it is also the experience of so many other immigrants: Guided by vision and insight, she built the platform herself, lifting others up along the way.” Read our memorial on Jung Lee Sanders' enduring spirit, grace, and legacy at the Vilcek Foundation. https://lnkd.in/eXttr4GJ