Vision and Goals
The overall goals of the Robert M. Minkoff Foundation, Ltd. are to develop new initiatives and special projects that will:
- Improve the quality of life of individuals by exposing them to the glass arts
- Advocate and encourage lasting change in the lives of all people - especially those who are
economically disadvantaged or are physically, emotionally or psychologically vulnerable - by
introducing and cultivating a love of art and to foster a passion for appreciating and creating art
Activities
Some of the activities of the Robert M. MInkoff Foundation include:
- Providing services and grants to humanitarian organizations
- Encouraging excellence in the glass arts
- Promoting education to the both the general public and the art world
- Funding and organizing events that build communication and connections between leaders in programs using glass education as a means to improve the lives of at-risk youth
- Hosting and maintaining a website at atriskglass.org to facilitate communication and sharing of best practices by at-risk youth programs nationally and internationally
- Investing in the advancement of glass arts by supporting both established and up-and-coming artists and arts organizations
- Establishing alliances and partnerships with related and like-minded organizations
- Organizing and sponsoring exhibitions, workshops, classes and similar events
- Assisting with organization and support research projects in the glass arts and in the development of new art forms with glass as a component
- Facilitating communication between artists, arts organizations, and museums to further the success of the medium
- Producing art books and catalogs
- Sharing knowledge and resources
ARTS FUNDING
The Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, New York
The Foundation has partnered with the Studio at The Corning Museum of Glass to create a unique opportunity for the most-promising students of at-risk youth programs around the U.S. to spend an expenses-paid week at the leading institution for glass art in the world. Since 2015, the "Expanding Horizons" program has been bringing students and their mentors to Corning, New York, to spend an intensive week in the world-class glass studio at Corning, as well as meet with curators, researchers, and retail store buyers to learn more about the glass art world, and to have opportunities to learn as well as teach with peers from other programs. To learn more about the program: www.atriskglass.org
Museum of Glass, Tacoma, Washington
The Foundation has been a major donor to the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington, including direct support of its exhibition “Glimmering Gone,” which opened in October 2010 and continues through September 2011. The exhibition features a collaborative project between American artist Beth Lipman and Scandinavian artist Ingalena Klenell. The Foundation has also sponsored Martin Blank’s "Fluent Steps" installation, which spans the entire length of the museum’s 210-foot-long Main Plaza reflecting pool and rises from water level to 15 feet in height. This monumental installation opened April 18, 2009, and is part of the museum’s permanent collection of 20th- and 21st- century glass art. Most recently, the Foundation has helped to make possible the retrospective exhibition of the work of Paul J. Stankard which will travel to other museums in Virginia and New Jersey
The James Renwick Alliance
The Foundation has been a steady supporter of the James Renwick Alliance, which is an independent national non-profit that fosters scholarship, education, and public appreciation of craft art through public programs, educational trips, publications, recognition of craft artists, and financial support of museums and other non-profit organizations, including the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
WheatonArts, Millville, New Jersey
The Foundation gives major support to Wheaton Arts, a Millville, New Jersey, organization that promotes the glass arts through residencies, hands-on programs for the public, an accredited museum of American glass, and hosts a variety of special events, exhibitions and educational programs throughout the year.
Salem Community College, Carney's Point, New Jersey
The Foundation has endowed the Robert M. Minkoff Foundation Scholarship at Salem County Community College, which provides two scholarships up to $4,000 per academic year for tuition, fees, and books to two full-time glass art students attending college.The Foundation has also been a sponsoring organization of the International Flameworking Conference at Salem County Community College in Carneys Point, New Jersey, each year since 2008. This conference draws attendees from around the world and honors the contributions of a single major flameworking artist each year. The keynote speaker for the 2010 conference was a member of the board of the Minkoff Foundation.
SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING
The Promise Project, New York City
The Promise Project is a New York City-based nonprofit dedicated to evaluating, recommending treatment, and advocating for underserved children who might otherwise never get a diagnosis or treatment for their learning disability (LD). In partnership with Columbia University Medical Center, the Promise Project works to:
As the organization writes on its Website: "Because a child with LD learns differently, educational programs must be tailored to their needs. Advocacy is necessary to navigate a complex school system to develop and to ensure implementation of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) based on the recommendations given." The Robert Minkoff Foundation is proud to support the Promise Project in achieving its goal that all children with learning disabilities get the chance to succeed.
- Identify the exact nature of each child's learning disability
- Recommend what services the child needs in order to learn
- Help obtain recommended services
- Guide parents on how to help the child at home and at school
- Follow up and track long-term results
As the organization writes on its Website: "Because a child with LD learns differently, educational programs must be tailored to their needs. Advocacy is necessary to navigate a complex school system to develop and to ensure implementation of an IEP (Individualized Education Program) based on the recommendations given." The Robert Minkoff Foundation is proud to support the Promise Project in achieving its goal that all children with learning disabilities get the chance to succeed.
Housing Unlimited, Silver Spring, Maryland
The Foundation supports the work of Housing Unlimited, which provides housing and jobs training for mentally challenged individuals. Those who receive help are chosen by the Montgomery County Maryland Department of Human Services.
Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, Rockville, Maryland
The Foundation's managing trustee serves on several committees of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, including internal budget and development committees.
