Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin, Ford Foundation receive Lifetime Service Awards at Detroit Institute of Arts annual donor recognition event
Updated Jun 29, 2016
June 29, 2016 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) presented Lifetime Service Awards to Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin and the Ford Foundation at its annual donor recognition event last night. The award was created in 1996 to honor individuals, corporations and foundations whose long term service to the DIA has resulted in substantial benefit to the museum.
“We are delighted to honor the inspiring work of Mary Ann and Robert and the Ford Foundation. They have all provided invaluable support to the DIA, setting the foundation for a vibrant future that will allow the museum to serve every member of our community through our collection and programs,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Their generous service embodies the values of inclusion, diversity and education that will create a lasting legacy for our entire region and a more equitable society.”
Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin are longtime members and generous donors who have been involved with the DIA for many years. Mary Ann has been an active teaching volunteer since 1984 and served on the museum’s board of directors from 2007 to 2015, where she led the board’s Education & Learning committee for several years. This committee’s work was especially important in the year leading up to the 2012 millage vote and the subsequent implementation of the county service agreements. Robert, recently retired from Guardian Industries Corp., serves as vice chair of the board’s Human Resources committee and on the board of the European Paintings Council auxiliary. A first-floor gallery is named in honor of the couple.
The Ford Foundation has supported the DIA since the 1940s. President Darren Walker was instrumental in creating the coalition of 10 foundations that supported the “Grand Bargain” that helped the city of Detroit emerge from bankruptcy and safeguarded the DIA’s collection from potential sale. The Ford Foundation’s gift of $125 million was the largest foundation contribution to that effort. Under Walker’s dynamic leadership, the Foundation is focused on conquering inequality.
A highlight of the donor recognition event was an informal discussion between Darren Walker and Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, about philanthropy. Guests enjoyed the lively and thoughtful interchange between these two charismatic leaders, followed by dinner in the museum’s Josephine & Walter B. Ford II Great Hall and Rivera Court.
June 29, 2016 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) presented Lifetime Service Awards to Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin and the Ford Foundation at its annual donor recognition event last night. The award was created in 1996 to honor individuals, corporations and foundations whose long term service to the DIA has resulted in substantial benefit to the museum.
“We are delighted to honor the inspiring work of Mary Ann and Robert and the Ford Foundation. They have all provided invaluable support to the DIA, setting the foundation for a vibrant future that will allow the museum to serve every member of our community through our collection and programs,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Their generous service embodies the values of inclusion, diversity and education that will create a lasting legacy for our entire region and a more equitable society.”
Mary Ann and Robert Gorlin are longtime members and generous donors who have been involved with the DIA for many years. Mary Ann has been an active teaching volunteer since 1984 and served on the museum’s board of directors from 2007 to 2015, where she led the board’s Education & Learning committee for several years. This committee’s work was especially important in the year leading up to the 2012 millage vote and the subsequent implementation of the county service agreements. Robert, recently retired from Guardian Industries Corp., serves as vice chair of the board’s Human Resources committee and on the board of the European Paintings Council auxiliary. A first-floor gallery is named in honor of the couple.
The Ford Foundation has supported the DIA since the 1940s. President Darren Walker was instrumental in creating the coalition of 10 foundations that supported the “Grand Bargain” that helped the city of Detroit emerge from bankruptcy and safeguarded the DIA’s collection from potential sale. The Ford Foundation’s gift of $125 million was the largest foundation contribution to that effort. Under Walker’s dynamic leadership, the Foundation is focused on conquering inequality.
A highlight of the donor recognition event was an informal discussion between Darren Walker and Dan Gilbert, founder and chairman of Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, about philanthropy. Guests enjoyed the lively and thoughtful interchange between these two charismatic leaders, followed by dinner in the museum’s Josephine & Walter B. Ford II Great Hall and Rivera Court.